§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLTo ask the Postmaster-General if he will state what, on 31st December, 1907, was the total amount due to depositors in the Post Office Savings Bank; whit amount 1384 of Consols was sold during the year 1907, and at what average price, what was the amount of Consols held on account of the Post Office Savings Bank on 31st December, 1907, and what is the cost price on balance of the Consols held at that date; what is the deficiency in the capital account on 31st December, 1907, estimating the assets at the market price of the day; what is the deficiency, if any, in the income account for the year ended 31st December, 1907; and what amount of gold is held as a reserve against the liability to depositors.
(Answered by Mr. Asquith.) The total amount due to depositors in the Post Office Savings Bank at the end of 1907 was estimated at £157,518,000. The amount of Consols sold from the Post Office Savings Bank Fund during the year 1907 was £2,193,401, at an average price of £84 3s. 5d. per cent. The amount of Consols held on account of the Fund at 31st December, 1907, was £59,072,319. The cost price on balance of this stock works out at £103 6s. 5d. per cent. The deficiency in the income account of the Fund for the year ended 31st December, 1907, is estimated to amount to £88,190.