HC Deb 04 December 1916 vol 88 c650
56. Mr. DAVID MASON

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether His Majesty's Government have authorised Messrs. Morgan and Company to place a new issue of Treasury Bills on the New York Money Market; and whether he can furnish the House with any information regarding the reported action of the Federal Reserve Board of America with reference to the above issue?

Mr. McKENNA

It has been decided not to proceed with the contemplated experiment of issuing Treasury Bills in New York. I have nothing to add to what has appeared in the Press with regard to the Federal Reserve Board's action.

Mr. MASON

Is the light hon. Gentleman aware of the injury to British credit that is caused by authorising the issue of these bills and then withdrawing them?

Mr. McKENNA

Not at all. They were withdrawn, as the hon. Member knows, on account of the attitude of the Federal Reserve Board.

Sir C. HENRY

Can the right hon. Gentleman state the duration of the bills that Messrs. Morgan were authorised to issue? Were they for one, two, three, or six months?

Mr. McKENNA

As they are not going to be issaed I do not think that would serve any purpose whatever.

Mr. MASON

Will the right hon. Gentleman refresh his memory in regard to the two Debates which have taken place in this House, where it has protested against further increasing the floating debt?

Mr. McKENNA

I must have notice of that.

Sir C. HENRY

Will the right hon. Gentleman reconsider his decision not to state the duration of the bills?

Mr. McKENNA

If the hon. Member will put down a question on the subject, I will consider whether it is in the public interest to answer.