HC Deb 22 November 1949 vol 470 cc199-200
54. Sir Waldron Smithers

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much of the interest on the National Debt for 1948, amounting to £495,398,374, is paid on that part of the debt which was at the time of payment owned respectively by the Bank of England and by the "Big Five" banks.

Sir S. Cripps

These figures could only be obtained with a wholly disproportionate expenditure of time and labour, which I am not prepared to contemplate.

Sir W. Smithers

Is it not a fact that the Chancellor will not produce these figures because they show him up so badly?

Sir S. Cripps

No, Sir.

Sir W. Smithers

Of course they do.