§ 57. Mr. HURDasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the sense of injustice felt by ex-soldiers who, owing to their absence abroad on service, were unaware of the right to convert Consols into War Stock, thus suffering both capital and annual loss; and what steps he can take in the matter?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI fear it is quite impossible to allow conversions of Consols into Four and a Half per Cent. War Loan at the present date. Full notice was given in the Press, and every possible step was taken by extensions of time to enable Consols holders abroad to exercise their option to convert.
§ Mr. HURDDoes that apply to soldiers serving in France who were out of the reach of papers or anything of that kind; and would soldiers serving in France have been likely to be able to see these notices?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe question refers to matters which took place long before I became Chancellor of the Exchequer, but I believe that every effort was made at the time to give serving soldiers notice of their rights. In any case I fear it is too late to reopen the matter.