§ MR. H. KIMBER (Wandsworth)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury, (1) whether, before making any International engagement on the subject of reopening the Indian Mints and keeping them open for free coinage of silver, he will give the House and country the opportunity of considering the proposals and their effect; and, (2) whether he can obtain information through any of the Government Departments as to what is the amount of silver now lying idle in the Treasuries of the United States, and of France and Germany respectively?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR,) Manchester, E.I should be unwilling to pledge the Government on the subject mentioned in the Question. It will be remembered that the principal alteration in our system which was promised by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in relation to an International agreement had reference to the opening of the Indian Mints. Now the Indian Mints were closed without the consent of Parliament, and I do not know why Parliament should be consulted if the Mints were again opened. With regard to the second paragraph, I have no official information at my disposal which would enable me to give with any feeling of security the Question put to me by my hon. Friend. But so far as I can make out, there are at present in the Treasury of the United States 96 millions sterling of silver, against which there are notes in circulation for the whole amount less eight millions. That is to say, there are 88 millions of silver notes against 96 millions of silver in the Treasury. In Germany there are no returns issued of 184 which I am able to avail myself. As to France, on March 19 last there were 50 millions of silver in the Bank of France, but notes were issued against the whole of this amount.
§ MR. KIMBERThe right hon. Gentleman has not answered my Question as to whether, before entering into any engagement, the Government will give the House and the country an opportunity of considering the proposal?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYI thought I had indicated to my hon. Friend that I did not propose to give any pledge on the subject. As far as my experience goes, the House of Commons always finds some opportunity for discussing any matter of interest. But I should not like to pledge the Government to bring the question before the House before they arrived at a decision.