HC Deb 21 February 1912 vol 34 cc618-9
Mr. CARR-GOMM

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is in a position to state what were the total amounts of deposits and withdrawals in the Post Office Savings Bank in 1911; and whether he will show how these compare with the returns of previous years?

Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL

The deposits were £50,144,900, and the withdrawals £46,616,300. Deposits exceed withdrawals by £3,528,600, and adding to this sum the interest which has accrued during the year (£4,095,000), the total increase in the amount standing to the credit of depositors is £7,623,600. I am glad to say that this is a greater increase than in respect of any year since 1897.

Mr. CARR-GOMM

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he can issue a statement showing the growth of these figures during the past six years under Liberal Free Trade and during the previous six years?

Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL

A table will be found in the appendix to the Postmaster-General's Report to be issued in the course of a few months.

Captain CRAIG

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a great deal of the increase in Ireland occurred during the Unionist administration?

Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL

We will look forward to a still greater increase in the future under a different state of things.

Captain CRAIG

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that that will be a very far future?