HC Deb 24 February 1896 vol 37 cc944-5
MR. G. C. T. BARTLEY (Islington, N.)

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, considering the great importance of the subject of the financial position of the country to the Post Office Savings Banks and the Trustee Savings Banks, owing to the very great rise in the price of Consols, the Government will accept the Motion put down for a Committee of this House to investigate the subject, or will they themselves move for a Committee, or give facilities for the discussion of the subject?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

I informed my hon. Friend the other day that the Report of the Departmental Committee on this subject had not yet been presented, and, as at present advised, I am not satisfied that the appointment of a Committee to consider it would be advisable. I could not, therefore, undertake to ask the Leader of the House to give the hon. Member the facilities which he desires.

MR. COHEN

asked the right hon. Gentleman if he was aware that the surplus of the Post Office Savings Bank had fallen from £126,000 to £3,800, and whether, in face of that fact he did not think some inquiry should be speedily instituted into the Treasury regulations, which provided for a fund to meet depreciation in the value of securities, having regard to the high price of Consols?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

could not answer a question of that kind without notice, but he thought the hon. Member was quoting the figures of 1894, and there was a larger margin in 1895.