MR. HARTLEYI beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether he will arrange to put down the Post Office Savings Bank Vote at an early date, so that the subject of the financial condition of the country in respect of the liability on these institutions may be debated, and especially the financial effect of a war, should such an event unhappily occur, when the country might be called upon to borrow largely, with the possibility or even probability of a simultaneous heavy withdrawal from the Savings Banks?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYIn answer to my honourable Friend I have to say that there is a Supplementary Vote on which this question can be raised, as a Vote of this kind does not come under the Friday arrangement in regard to Supply. I think that will give my honourable Friend the opportunity he desires.
§ MR. BARTLEYThen do I understand that time will be given on the Supplementary Vote to raise the question?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYWithout giving an answer which might be twisted into a pledge on behalf of the Government, I do not see how the opportunity can be denied my honourable Friend, and I have no desire to do so.