§ 73. Mr. LEWISasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that the interest on certain New South Wales Government securities placed on the Treasury trustee list under authority obtained by the Treasury in 1900 is now in arrears; and what steps the Treasury is taking to have such securities removed from the Treasury trustee list or otherwise to warn would-be investors of the risks attendant on holding such securities?
§ 74. Mr. RAMSDENasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the default of the New South Wales Government on some of their securities now on the Treasury trustee list under the Act of 1900, he will lay the matter before the Ottawa Conference with a view to the conference agreeing to amendments of the Act calculated to meet cases of a similar kind?
75. Mr. WEST RUSSELLasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he will now obtain funds, under is powers defined by the Colonial Stock Act, and pay the interest on such New South Wales Government stocks as are 1824 on the Treasury trustee list and have defaulted in interest payments?
§ 77. Mr. SMITH-CARINGTONasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the fact that the New South Wales Government has till recently defaulted on its obligation to pay interest on certain of its stocks on the Treasury trustee list, he will now publish the fact in the London and Edinburgh Gazettes, and in such other manner as may give the public full information on the subject, as provided by Section 2 of 63 and 64 Vic., c. 62, stating which conditions ordered and notified by the Treasury have not been observed?
§ Major ELLIOTI need hardly say that the absence of payment of the interest on certain New South Wales loans on the date when that interest fell due was a matter of deep concern to His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom. I am, however, glad to say that I understand that the necessary funds have now been made available in London; and in the circumstances the question of action on the part of the Treasury does not arise.
§ Mr. LEWISAre we to understand that, notwithstanding the default of the New South Wales Government, these particular securities are still trustee securities within the meaning of the Act for the purposes of investment?
Sir F. HALLIs it not the case that the interest has already been paid and was received to-day by the holders of the 6½ per cent. stock?
§ Major ELLIOTThe interest, as the hon. and gallant Member says, has been paid and the necessity for action on the part of the Treasury does not arise. These stocks remain as they were before.
§ Major ELLIOTThey remain as before; the interest on them has been paid.