§ DR. MACNAMARA (Camberwell, N.)To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that by Section 6 of 24 and 25 Vic., c. 14, tin Act establishing the Post Office Savings Bank, the Commissioners for the Reduction of the 633 National Debt are represented as an independent body exercising supervision of the affairs of the Post Office Savings Bank; and that, in practice, the sole acting member of the body is the Chancellor of the Exchequer for the time being; and, if so, will he recommend the alteration, by repeal and re- enactment, of the wording of this section and of all Acts or sections of Acts in which the Commissioners are represented to be an independent body exercising supervision or control of matters connected with the national finances.
(Answered by Mr. Austen Chamberlain.) I do not find in the section to which the hon. Member calls my attention any words representing the National Debt Commissioners to be an independent body exercising supervision or control of matters connected with the national finances. I do not propose to introduce legislation to amend the powers of those Commissioners in connection with the management of the Post Office Savings Bank Fund.