HC Deb 06 April 1944 vol 398 c2160
33. Mr. Lipson

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what information he has that the amount of money invested in war loans and other forms of war savings during special war savings weeks has been inflated by the sale of previously purchased war securities and the reinvestment of the money in new ones.

Sir J. Anderson

It would not be practicable, or indeed desirable, for the Government to inquire into the sources of subscriptions to War Savings Securities. But I think that the general public appreciates that any such practice as that referred to by the hon. Member is to be strongly discouraged, and I do not believe subscriptions of this kind inflate the totals of Savings Weeks to any noticeable extent.

Sir W. Smithers

Will the Government, so far as it lies in their power, give an undertaking that the purchasing power of the pound sterling to be drawn out, will be the same as that of the pound sterling which these loyal people lent to the Government.

Sir J. Anderson

I have made it quite clear in a public statement, and my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has done the same, that the maintenance of the value of these subscriptions will be a paramount object of policy.