93. Mr. T. THOMSONasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total amount of national indebtedness on capital account at each of the following dates: 31st December, 1918, and on 31st of March in the four subsequent years?
Mr. YOUNGI would refer the hon. Member to the figures given in the Annual Return of National Debt (House of Commons Paper No. 206 of 1921) and in my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer's Budget statement. I would add that it must be borne in mind that these figures relate to total nominal value, irrespective, of the rate of interest on the various issues.
Mr. THOMSONMay I respectfully ask the hon. Gentleman if he cannot give these figures in reply to the question? It was in consequence of the difference in the figures quoted in the Debate on the Chancellor's statement that this question was put down.
Mr. YOUNGI am not aware of any ambiguity either in the statement of the Chancellor of the Exchequer or in the Return to which I have referred. I think if the hon. Gentleman will study the Return he will certainly find in it all the information he desires. Perhaps if he is not satisfied after that he will let me know.
Mr. THOMSONMay I say it is just because of the difference in the figures quoted by the Chancellor and by Members in the Debate from these Returns and the Return of the Board of Trade that it seems to me to be desirable that this House should have the actual figures asked for in my question?