§ 58. Mr. HAMMERSLEYasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the approximate market value of the British internal debt on 1st June, 1930, and 1st June, 1931?
§ Mr. P. SNOWDENI regret that the information is not available and could not be obtained without long calculations.
§ Mr. W. J. BROWNMay I ask whether the Chancellor of the Exchequer proposes to scale down the rate of interest on the Debt in accordance with the decline in the post of living?
§ Mr. SNOWDENI do not see the slightest connection between that question and my answer.
§ Mr. HAMMERSLEYDoes not the Chancellor of the Exchequer agree that the figures show a very large increase in the market value of these securities and will he therefore look with a more kindly eye on producers in view of the fact that he has given such a large increment to the rentier by his Budget?
§ Mr. SNOWDENThe hon. Member asks me whether I am aware of the fact that a large increase is shown in the figures. I have told the hon. Member that the figures are not available, therefore, I cannot have that knowledge.
§ Mr. HAMMERSLEYDoes that reply mean that the right hon. Gentleman takes no notice of the market value of the British Government Debt?