HC Deb 02 May 1944 vol 399 cc1198-9
54. Mr. Craven-Ellis

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the Treasury receive the profits accruing from the note issues of the Scottish and Northern Irish banks, which have increased since September 1939 by 31.7 million pounds and 5.8 million pounds, respectively.

Sir J. Anderson

No, Sir.

Mr. Craven-Ellis

Can my right hon. Friend give any estimates of these profits and say why these banks should not be put on the same footing as the Bank of England?

Sir J. Anderson

The figures given in the Question do not relate to profits but to issues on which there may be no profits, because the issues have to be backed by Bank of England notes or coin. As regards the treatment of banks, that is governed by Statute law.