§ Mr. WARDLAW-MILNEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will now consider the appointment of a committee to inquire into the working of the Bank Charter Act, 1844?
§ Mr. W. THORNEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has received a Report from the British Electrical and Allied Manufacturers' Association on the subject of a trade survey dealing with 1925W the Bank of England and trade depression; if he is aware that the industrial committee, represented by the members of the Trade Union Congress general council and a group of employers representing various industries, recommend that a committee of inquiry be set up to inquire into the financial policy of the Bank of England; and whether, in view of the fact that this association recommends this course to be adopted, he will take action in the matter?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI will answer these two questions together. The Report referred to in the first part of the question by the hon. Member for Plaistow (Mr. W. Thorne) has not been forwarded to me, though I am aware of its terms from notices appearing in the Press. The recommendations of the industrial committee were made public before the passage of the Currency and Bank Notes Bill. This is certainly not the time to debate the very large and well known issues which would be raised by the appointment of such a Committee of Inquiry as is suggested.