I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has considered the desirability of offering to the Governments of the Commonwealth of Australia, of Now Zealand, of India, of Ceylon, of the Straits Settlements, of Hong Kong, of Natal, and of Mauritius, at the current market rate, a proportion of the shares in the Suez Canal Company acquired for the United Kingdom by the late Earl of Beaconsfield, in consideration of the interest in that waterway of those Governments.

No, Sir. I do not think it would be practicable to act upon the suggestion.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how much those shares have increased in value since they were purchased by Lord Beacons-field?

No, Sir.

† (4) Debates, cliv., 620.