asked the Minister for Finance if he will state the amount of sterling assets held by (a) Government Departments, the Courts and the Post Office, (b) the Central Bank, and (c) the Commercial Banks, in each of the months June to November, 1956.

Following is the available information :—

(a) The nominal amount of sterling assets held by all Government Departments and the Courts of Justice at 31st March, 1956, was £31.7 million. Monthly returns are not compiled but the reduction through sales since 31st March last is £9,500,000.

(c) Net External Assets of the Commercial Banks—