§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what extent in administration of the Government and its various departmental services Her Majesty's Government are using banking facilities provided by joint stock banks; to what extent interest rates and bank charges are paid; and whether he will shew for the longest and most convenient period how these charges have varied on either a quarterly or an annual basis.
§ Mr. NottThe Government use facilities provided by joint stock banks to supply some Departments with their cash requirements, to deposit their receipts and to provide other banking services, but only when it is both economical and convenient to do so. The choice of particular facilities and the responsibility for securing the best possible terms is a matter of departmental management. Any charges paid are the subject of negotiation between Departments and the banks; information about them could be collected centrally only at the cost of disproportionate time and effort.