§ MR. HOWELL (Bethnal Green, N.E.)asked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether his attention has been called to the omission by the Trustees of the Cardiff Savings Bank, year after year, of the sums in excess of £200 standing 772 to the credit of depositors, in the annual statement made by them to the National Debt Commissioners; whether the Government will, as far as practicable, correct any errors in amounts and totals in consequence of this omission in the next Return presented to Parliament; and, whether the Government will now state when the measure they have promised to introduce, in order to secure a full inquiry into this matter, will be laid before this House?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. GOSCHEN) (St. George's, Hanover Square)My attention has been called to this omission; but I am afraid that the National Debt Commissioners have no legal power to do what the hon. Member wishes. They can only present the Returns furnished to them by the Trustees. In reply to the hon. Member's third Question, I have to say that the Bill is already drafted, and will be introduced in a few days.
§ MR. ARTHUR O'CONNOR (Donegal, E.)asked, if the right hon. Gentleman could state the extent to which the omissions went, and whether they, in effect, invalidated the Returns?
§ MR. GOSCHENremarked that the omissions from the Return were somewhat serious, and the Government were looking into the whole of the matter, which was one of very considerable importance.