MR. GIBSON BOWLESI beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer can he state the total amount of the Unfunded Debt, together with the amount of each of the items composing it, on 31st December last and at the present date respectively; and can he say 315 whether he proposes to take any, and, if so, what, measures for diminishing it.
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINThe Unfunded Debt on 31st December last amounted to £88,133,000, made up of War Stock and Bonds, £30,000,000: Exchequer Bonds, £26,500,000; Treasury Bills, £31,633,000: total, £88,133,000. At present the Unfunded Debt amounts to £81,633,000, having been reduced by £6,500,000, Treasury Bills paid off in the interval. I have no announcement to make as to future dealings with the Unfunded Debt except that £4,000,000 of the Treasury Bills now outstanding must by law be paid off before the 31st of next month.
MR. GIBSON BOWLESIs there not usually another item of the Unfunded Debt, viz., Temporary Advances from the Bank?
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINI have given the hon. Member a full statement. If he wants more information I shall be obliged if he will put down a Question.