§ 82. Sir R. COOPERasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the Treasury only accept American securities for deposit of a minimum nominal amount of £1,000; if so, are holders of smaller amounts of American stock compelled by his regulations to sell at the present market price; and why should the small holders be placed at this disadvantage as compared with the bonus interest given to the larger holders?
§ Mr. MONTAGUAt present the minimum amount of securities accepted by the Treasury under the deposit scheme is $5,000 (or £1,000) nominal value; my right hon. Friend is, however, considering whether arrangements can be made to enable holders of smaller amounts to take advantage of the deposit scheme.
§ 83. Sir R. COOPERasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider the advisability of making provision in cases where a holder of less than £1,000 in American securities has deposited them as security for a loan made prior to the War which he cannot withdraw without breaking the terms of his contract, thereby depriving himself of the benefits conferred upon him by the moratorium.
§ Mr. MONTAGUMy right hon. Friend is considering whether special provisions are required in connection with cases of this kind.
§ 84. Sir J. LONSDALEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the new list of securities which the Government is prepared to buy or borrow under the mobilisation scheme will be publicly advertised or otherwise brought directly to the notice of holders of the securities; 2910 and if arrangements will be made to allow the holders of small amounts to deposit their securities with the Treasury on loan?
§ Mr. MONTAGUThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; the question whether arrangements can be made to enable the holders of small amounts of securities to deposit them with the Treasury is under consideration.
88. Mr. D. WHITEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the aggregate value of the American dollar securities offered to the Government between the date when he requested that they should be offered and the date when he foreshadowed an additional Income Tax on those that were withheld, and what was the length of that period; and what was the aggregate value of those offered to the Government between the date when he foreshadowed that additional Income Tax, and the latest date up to which figures are available, and what was the length of that period?
§ Mr. MONTAGUIt would not be in the public interest to give the figures, but I am glad to be able to inform my hon. Friend that the returns for the last few days have been most satisfactory.