asked the Minister for Finance with reference to his reply to a question on the 22nd November, 1951, concerning the £80.6 million of external assets held by the Central Bank as at 31st March last, whether he will state how the assets making up this amount, other than the £54,010,456 10s. 0d. of the Legal Tender Note Fund, were then held as to (a) short-term (i.e., of maturity less than 12 months) British Government securities and (b) long-term (i.e., of maturity of 12 months or over) British Government securities.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Central Banks External Assets.
The difference between the total external assets of the Central Bank at the end of March, 1951 (£80.6 million) and the £54,000,000 odd held for the Legal Tender Note Fund is accounted for by the external assets of the General Fund. As the Deputy was informed on the 14th November, the information required to be furnished by the Central Bank does not extend to the publication of details of the securities held for the General Fund. As, however, the bulk of the external assets of the General Fund at 31st March last represented American Loan Counterpart deposits subject to withdrawal on demand, and since in fact withdrawn in large measure, it is reasonable to assume that the relevant investments consisted wholly or mainly of short-term securities.
Has the Minister yet received a resolution passed unanimously by the Laois County Council calling for the nationalisation of the Central Bank?