§ SIR W. HARCOURT (Derby)I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, having regard to his statement that the measure he had promised for the restoration of the gold coinage will be postponed pending further proposals relating to the currency, it is his intention to deal with the currency during the present Session; whether he intends to take any Parliamentary action upon the schemes in relation to bank reserves announced in his recent speech at a public dinner; and when he proposes to bring these important questions affecting the financial and commercial stability of the country under the consideration of the House of Commons?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. GOSCHEN, St. George's, Hanover Square)I am unable to give a precise answer to the first question of the right hon. Gentleman. All must 672 depend on the progress of general business, and much on a fair consensus of opinion which might be found to exist on any portion of my plans. There are some parts of the subject which might be separately treated and be dealt with in a few simple clauses. With regard to the second question, I am at present in communication with representatives of the large Joint Stock Banks, and it is possible that I may arrive at such an agreement with them as to relieve us from the necessity of Parliamentary action with regard to their reserves. With regard to the third question, I am unable to give the right hon. Gentleman any definite answer.