§ MR. SALTasked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, If he will lay upon the Table of the House a Statement exhibiting the amount of Three per Cents. converted into Two and three-quarter per Cents.; the amount converted into Two and a-half per Cents.; the particular Stocks with respect to which the conversion has been made, Consols, Reduced Three per Cents., or New Three per Cents.; the amount of Stock, in each case, that belongs to private and to public funds, and the amount added to the capital amount of the public debt by the process of conversion; the amount of interest saved; the present capital sum of Three and three-quarter per Cents, and of New Three per Cents.; and, whether he proposes to take any further steps to accelerate the process of conversion?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. CHILDERS)In reply to my hon. Friend, I have to say that the final account of these conversions is not yet made up; but that as soon as it is complete I propose to lay on the Table a Paper giving full details of the transaction. As to the second Question, Parliament has given the Treasury discretionary powers within certain limits for two years; and at this moment I have 1096 no communication to make on the subject. If further powers should become, in my opinion, necessary, Parliament will be informed.