asked the Minister for Finance if he will state (1) the amount of banknotes in circulation by the joint stock banks in Éire; (2) the amount authorised by the Currency Commission; (3) the nature of the securities deposited by the banks to secure such circulation; (4) the market value of such securities on May 1st, 1941.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Bank Securities.
During the four-weekly period ended 17th May, 1941, when the aggregate authorised quotas of consolidated bank notes amounted to £6,000,000 the daily average of consolidated bank notes outstanding was £5,161,867 inclusive of such notes held in bank tills. In addition private bank notes of the former banks of issue were outstanding on 17th May, 1941, to the extent of £833,405, this figure being deemed to form part of the authorised issue of consolidated bank notes. The available information concerning securities mentioned in parts (3) and (4) of the question is that given in the published accounts of the Currency Commission. These accounts for 31st March, 1941, are at present under audit by the Comptroller and Auditor-General and will in due course be laid before the Dáil.