*CAPTAIN FABER (Hampshire, Andover)I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is now his intention to devote Sinking Fund moneys to the purchase of Consols, seeing that the latter are the sole leaders of the market and that the markets wholly depend on them; and whether the reduction of floating debt is as advantageous as a purchase of Consols for the Sinking Fund at under 84.
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. Asquith, Fifeshire, E.)I do not think it is in the public interest to announce before hand the specific application of Sinking Fund moneys, but the hon. Member may be assured that the comparative advantages of the various securities to which the Sinking Fund can be applied will be carefully considered on each occasion.