§ MR. D. A. THOMAS (Merthyr Tydvil)To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can state the aggregate amount of annuities now charged against the fixed annual sum set aside for the service of the National Debt, which will expire in the course of the next financial year; and if he can give the respective amounts of such terminable annuities, and the dates when they expire.
(Answered by Mr. Asquith.) Only one annuity will expire in 1906-7. That is the Chancery Funds Annuity under the Act 46 and 47 Vic, c. 54. It amounts to £2,324,516, and the last quarterly instalment will be payable on July 5th, 1906. Two other annuities, known as the Converted Annuities, under the same Act, came to an end last month. One amounted to £362,104, of which the last payment was made on February 15th, 1906, the other to £321,918, of which the last payment was made on February 22nd, 1906.