§ SIR JOHN LENG (Dundee)I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can state to what kind of committee the proposed inquiry into the financial relations of the State to savings banks will be referred, and the scope of the reference.
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Sir M. HICKS BEACH, Bristol, W.)I have fulfilled the intention I expressed of consulting with several hon. Members who have taken a special interest in this subject; and a strong opinion has been expressed to me by some whose views I feel bound to respect that such a matter ought not to be referred to a Select Committee without a definite indication of the views of the Government. There would also be some difficulty in constituting a Committee at this time of the year, as some Members whose services I should much like to secure are already engaged on other work. I intend, therefore, to institute certain preliminary inquiries, with the assistance, I hope, of someone with practical knowledge of the working of savings banks; and I hope to base on them a proposal which may be considered by a Select Committee early next session. This will not involve any real delay, as no legislation could in any case take place this year.