§ MR. FIELDTo ask the Postmaster-General whether he can state under what Act of Parliament the regulations of the Post Office Savings Bank for the transfer of Government stock to the Bank of England are framed; and whether he will take steps to render possible the transfer of such stock to the Bank of Ireland.
(Answered by Lord Stanley.) The regulations to which the hon. Member refers 1291 were formed under The Savings Bank Act, 1880 (43 and 44 Vic. cap. 36) and The Savings, Bank Act, 1887 (50 and 51 Vic. cap 40). Transfers of Government Stock from the Post Office Savings Bank to the books of the Bank of Ireland could not be made without an alteration in the regulations. I am quite ready to consider any evidence that such an alteration is required; but, so far as can be ascertained, the number of Irish depositors who would be likely to make use of any facilities of this nature that might be granted is exceedingly small.