§ 38. Sir CLEMENT KINLOCH-COOKEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of assisting our national finances and providing a means of securing money on cheaper terms than has hitherto been found possible to meet the requirements of social reforms to which Parliament is committed, he will consider the advisability of making an issue of investment and premium bonds, and so encourage thrift amongst a large section of the community which hitherto has not regarded the conditions governing investment as sufficiently attractive, and at the same time offer a further opportunity for all citizens to possess a direct interest in the funds of the State?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLMy hon. Friend will realise that I have constantly before my mind the problem of providing for our liabilities of which the most serious are the large debt maturities in the next few years. All possible methods will be carefully considered, and no proposal shall escape examination. It does not follow, however, that any proposal will survive examination.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that this matter came before the House nine years ago, and that the Chancellor of the Exchequer at that date decided against it? May I ask my right hon. Friend if he has an open mind on the subject, or is he prepared beforehand to decide against it?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI have never opened my mind or closed my mind on this or any other question.