§ 51. Mr. Craven-Ellisasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will explain what accounts for the decline in the total amount invested weekly in the Government securities open to small investors at a time when total wages are at their highest?
§ Sir K. WoodI would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Hornsey (Captain Gammans), on 21st July. [Official Report, Column 1411, Volume 381.]
§ Mr. Craven-EllisCan my right hon. Friend acount for the small amount now being contributed to savings?
§ Sir K. WoodI replied on 17th July to the effect that the decrease in subscriptions was due mainly to the incidence of holidays and to the fact that National Savings Groups had concentrated recently on expanding their organisation. I also said that the sale of small denomination certificates, which affords a rough guide to savings, had run at the rate of approximately 17 per cent. higher than at the corresponding period of last year and that I hoped there would be an increase.
§ Mr. StokesIs not the real explanation that people are beginning to see through all this nonsense?
§ Sir K. WoodNo, Sir.
§ Mr. A. HopkinsonDoes it not show that this advertising campaign simply does what all such campaigns do—anticipate the market and lead to an inevitable slump?
§ Sir K. WoodNo, Sir, I do not think so.