HC Deb 08 September 1893 vol 17 cc667-8
MR. SEXTON (Kerry, N.)

I beg to ask the Postmaster General whether the number and amount of deposits in the Post Office Savings Banks in Ireland for the half-year ended 30th June last exceeded the number and amount of deposits for the corresponding period of 1892; and, if so, to what extent; and whether since the beginning of the current half-year the deposits have exceeded the withdrawals in number and amount?

MR. A. MORLEY

The number of deposits in the Post Office Savings Banks in Ireland during the half-year ending 30th June last was 195,969, or 2,537 more than during the corresponding period of 1892. The amount deposited in the same period was about £601,000, or about £12,000 more than in 1892. During the first two months of the current half-year, that is, July and August, the deposits exceeded the withdrawals by about 36,000 in number and about £24,000 in amount.

MR. T. W. RUSSELL (Tyrone, S.)

I desire to ask whether the attention of the Postmaster General has been drawn to the Report just laid on the Table of the House, in which it is stated that the amount of deposits is £49,000 less than the amount estimated at the close of 1892; and whether this is the first occasion since the establishment of the Post Office Savings Banks in which the estimated balance was less by £49,000 than it was in the preceding half-year? I would also ask whether the Report stated that certain information is not favourable, and why this information is for the first time withheld; and whether the attention of the Postmaster General has been drawn to the paragraph which stated that for the first time in the history of these banks there was a decrease of £49,000?

MR. A. MORLEY

That is a question which it is clearly impossible to answer without notice. My attention has been drawn to the Report, but not to the paragraph referred to. If the hon. Gentleman wishes for an answer I must ask him to put down a question.

MR. T. W. RUSSELL

I will do so.

MR. SEXTON

I wish to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that the period of heavy withdrawals extended only from March to June, within which time speeches and letters were published advising the public to withdraw, and whether there has been a great increase of deposits and a great falling off in withdrawals since the public became acquainted with the provisions of the Home Rule Bill?

MR. A. MORLEY

I do not say how far the speeches and letters affected the result, but the fact is as stated by the hon. Member.

MR. T. W. RUSSELL

Was it not rather caused by the declaration that the House of Lords would throw out the Bill?

SIR T. LEA

I desire to ask the right hon. Gentleman was not the advice to which the hon. Member for Kerry referred given in a letter addressed to the editor of a paper?

MR. A. MORLEY

The hon. Gentleman referred to newspaper letters.