§ 49. Captain BOURNEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the lowest denominations in which Treasury Bills are offered for sale?
§ The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. Philip Snowden)Five-thousand pounds.
§ 55 and 56. Sir GEORGE PENNYasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury (1), whether he will take steps to issue Treasury bills in the denominations of £10, £50, and £100, in view of the increase which has taken place in the numbers of small investors in this country, so that they can secure the fullest advantage from their thrift;
(2) whether he will increase the rate of interest on Post Office deposits should it be found impossible to issue Treasury Bills of small denomination, so that the small investor will not be placed in a less advantageous position than the investor of large sums?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Pethick-Lawrence)The matter does not lend itself to agrument within the limits of an answer to a Parliamentary question, but I fear the hon. Member's suggestion would be quite impracticable. The question of the fixed rate of interest on Post Office deposits is under consideration, but at present I am not in a position to make any statement about it.