§ MR. CHANNING (Northamptonshire, E.)I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the appointment of a Select Committee next year to consider and report on the question of.savings banks, ho will obtain through the Foreign Office, and issue before next session, a summary of the legislative and administrative arrangements as to savings banks in foreign countries, with the latest statistics and information as to the relative success of various methods of encouraging thrift, and of carrying out the investment of savings; as regards the results to the depositors, to the economical working of the institutions, and to the State finances of each country.
§ MR. HANBURYMy right hon. friend's undertaking to the House was to make proposals to Parliament next session on the subject of the savings banks, which might, if it should seem necessary, be examined by a Select Committee—not to appoint such a Committee to consider and report on the question. It is proposed to obtain information from foreign 26 countries on the matter, which I hope may be laid before the House before the proposals are made.