§ MR CHANNING (Northamptonshire, E.)I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, having regard to the probable advisability of procuring returns, reports, and other documents as preparatory to the work of a Select Committee on the subject, he will move for the immediate appointment of the promised Select Committee on Savings Banks; and whether, in moving for the Committee, he will either accept the terms of reference now standing on the Order Paper in the name of the Member for East Northamptonshire, or frame a reference at least as wide in its scope. In putting this question, may I explain to the right hon. Gentleman I do not contemplate the Select Committee 601 being appointed to hear evidence this session.
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Sir M. HICKS-BEACH,) Bristol, W.I do not think that the appointment of a Committee is a necessary preliminary to procuring such information as the hon. Member refers to. If he will communicate to me any suggestions he may desire to make as to the nature of the information, I shall be very happy to consider them. As to the appointment of a Committee, I can only refer him to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Dundee on the 8th June.