§ MR. KIMBER (Wandsworth)I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the increasing interest in the subject and its importance, he can arrange for an annual Return of the World's production of gold and silver (based on the most approximate sources of information available to the Government), and the extent of their use in commerce, the arts, and coinage respectively, as is done by the Director of the United States Mint?
§ * THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. GOSCHEN,) St. George's, Hanover SquareSuch an annual Return as the hon. Member suggests would, if it were trustworthy, be no doubt extremely instructive. But there are many difficulties in the way, and any Return we could give would practically be based upon the same information which is already used by the Director of the United States Mint. I will, however, make further inquiries on the subject.