§ 51. Sir W. Smithersasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will arrange for payments under his capital levy proposals to be made in British Transport, British Electricity and Treasury 2½ per cent. stocks at par.
§ Sir S. CrippsNo, Sir.
§ Sir W. SmithersDo we take it that the Chancellor of the Exchequer refuses to acknowledge that the issue of these stocks was a ramp, and that the shareholders of the old companies were robbed by the British Government?
§ Sir S. CrippsYes, Sir.
§ 52. Sir W. Smithersasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by what amount Government securities have depreciated in value since Treasury 2½ per cent. stock were issued at par to the latest available convenient date.
§ Sir S. CrippsThe daily Stock Exchange quotations already provide this information.
§ Sir W. SmithersIs it not obvious that the Chancellor of the Exchequer does not wish to have the figures given in HANSARD? Is not the enormous depreciation the measure of the false policy of his predecessor?
§ Sir S. CrippsNo, Sir.