§ Mr. ALEXANDER CROSSTo ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer if there is any Return of the number of the holdings in Consols classified in respect of the amounts, and, if not, will he grant such Return; will he state what is the amount of Consols issued in bearer certificates and the dates of issue; and if he will consider what further facilities can be granted to small investors to encourage them to invest in Consols.
(Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.) No Return is published of the number of holdings in Consols. I will consider with the authorities of the Bank of England and the Bank of Ireland how far it would be practicable to prepare such a Return. I am informed that the amount of Consols held in the form of certificates to bearer on the 16th instant was £48,158,700; but I am unable to give the dates of issue of the respective certificates. Special facilities for investment in Consols are already afforded to depositors in the Savings Banks, on whose behalf Consols and other Government securities are now held in the investment account to the amount of, approximately, £23,000,000. The accumulative dividend account at the Bank of England, which was also instituted for the encouragement of small investors now comprises holdings amounting to £1,541,000. I shall be glad to consider any practicable scheme for further extending facilities in this direction.