52. Colonel WHITEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, with the triple objects of raising money for war 785 loans, promoting thrift and checking extravagance and drunkenness, and preventing distress after the termination of hostilities, he will consider the possibility of a system of compulsory investment in War Stock of a small proportion of salaries, wages, and separation allowances, under which the holders would draw interest on their holdings during the War and the capital be at their disposal to tide over any slackness of employment after the declaration of peace?
§ The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. McKenna)I am giving careful attention to various suggestions of the kind made in the question, along with other suggestions for securing that future war loans shall act as an encouragement to saving by all classes of the community. I am obliged to the hon. and gallant Member for bringing to my notice the considerations raised by the particular proposal, but he will agree with me that they are not of a nature which can be adequately dealt with in a reply to a Parliamentary question.