§ 49. Mr. A. M. SAMUELasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer upon what day of the week the weekly Treasury Return is usually issued; what is the terminating day of the previous week covered by the Return; what day of the week the weekly Bank of England Return is usually issued; and what is the terminating day of the previous week covered by that Return?
§ The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. Snowden)The weekly Treasury Return is published in the "London Gazette" every Tuesday. It covers the period up to the preceding Saturday night. The Bank of England Return is published, every Friday, and covers the period up to the preceding Wednesday night.
§ 50. Mr. SAMUELalso asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether in order to facilitate a more accurate estimate 2121 of the national financial position he will arrange for the weekly Treasury Return to be published on Saturdays and for the weekly Bank of England Return to be published on Thursdays, and that the Return in both cases should cover the week ending on the previous Wednesday?
§ Mr. SNOWDENI do not see any advantage in this proposal, and there are obvious disadvantages. I am not prepared to adopt it.
§ Mr. SAMUELIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that, if the public is to form, from the two complete Returns, a correct idea of what the figures mean, it is necessary that the Returns in question should cover the same period of time?
§ Mr. SNOWDENIt is not possible to form any adequate estimate of the financial position from these weekly Returns, which, of course, cover only a very limited range. Further, there are objections, which should be obvious to the hon. Member, against the publication of these Returns as suggested.