§ DR. MACNAMARAI beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is the intention of the Government to omit the deficiency in the Post Office Savings Bank from the usual statement of contingent or nominal liabilities given in the Finance Accounts.
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN, Worcestershire, E.)Yes, Sir, this course follows from the discontinuance of the annual valuation of assets, in pursuance of the recommendation of the Select Committee of 1902.
MR. GIBSON BOWLESDoes the right hon. Gentleman remember that the omission of this sum this year—an amount of between £13,000,000 and £14,000,000, will entirely falsify the accounts?
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINThat is a very argumentative question and is a matter for debate rather than for Question and Answer.