HC Deb 14 June 1917 vol 94 c1132
72. Mr. R. McNEILL

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will allow tenders for Treasury Bills to be made direct instead of, as at present, only through London bankers?

Mr. BONAR LAW

This proposal has been carefully considered, but I do not think it would be desirable to adopt it.

Mr. McNEILL

Is my right hon. Friend aware that an important firm, on tendering for a large amount of Treasury Bills, sent a cheque for the full amount on application, and that it was returned with the intimation that applications must be made through a bank, and in such cases does not the Exchequer lose by the amount of commission paid to the banker?

Mr. BONAR LAW

It is obvious that in a particular case like that it would be an advantage, but there are other considerations which I do not think I could possibly deal with by question and answer.