§ 49. Mr. Craven-Ellisasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will take steps to place the issue of money in the form of bank credit in the same legal position as the issue of bank-notes was given by the Bank Charter Act of 1844 and the Currency and Bank Notes Act, 1928; that is to say, that the future increase of bank credit shall be subject to Treasury control, and that the profits accruing from such increase shall revert to His Majesty's Treasury?
§ Sir K. WoodNo, Sir. The comparison which my hon. Friend seeks to draw between the note issue and bank credit cannot be sustained.
§ Mr. Craven-EllisIs it not reasonable that bank credit should come into the same category as the issue of notes, and that any additional increase of bank credit should be controlled by the Treasury, so that the country would have the benefit of that issue?
Mr. Graham WhiteIs my right hon. Friend aware that the suggestion in the Question is that it is open to the banks to create credit without consultation with the Treasury, and will he dispel that erroneous suggestion?
§ Sir K. WoodI think it is held only by my hon. Friend the Member for Southampton (Mr. Craven-Ellis).