§ Mr. A. Edwardsasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what steps are being taken by the Treasury to prevent investments in War Bonds being quoted at a discount; and whether he realises that by the absence of official action future investments in Government securities may be jeopardised?
§ Mr. AsshetonThe object of the financial policy of the Government has been, and will continue to be, to secure conditions which will enable interest rates to be maintained at their present level, and events have proved the success of that policy. Minor fluctuations in the market values of Government securities cannot be avoided, but hitherto they cannot be said to have prejudiced the public response to our borrowing programme, and I do not think they are likely to do so in the future.