§ 50. Lieut.-Colonel Sir MERVYN MANNINGHAM-BULLERasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury for what reason no arrangements have been made to permit the conversion of war gratuity certificates in cases where their holders possess in the aggregate an amount of war savings certificates and/or war gratuity certificates in excess of £500; and whether he will consider the advisability of amending the regulations so as to permit the continuance of the concession made to ex-service men under the new conversion scheme?
§ Major ELLIOTHolders of the special issue of war gratuity certificates who already hold the maximum number of certificates of other issues may continue to hold their war gratuity certificates 454 until 31st March, 1940, with interest accruing after the tenth year at the rate of 1d. a month. Alternatively, they may convert them into 4½ per cent. Conversion Loan or 4 per cent. National Savings Bonds under the offers now open. The existing rights of holders of war gratuity certificates are not interfered with in any way whatever, and I regret that I cannot contemplate arrangements which would involve further special privileges to holders.