§ 45. Sir John Mellorasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the statement on page six of the "National Savings News Letter," dated 13th November, that for 31 weeks since 1st April receipts were £466 million and repayments £472 million; whether the receipts included the amount of Defence Bonds sold; whether the repayments included the amount of Defence Bonds repaid at maturity; and what correction is required in the figures to reflect all transactions in Defence Bonds.
§ Sir S. CrippsDefence Bonds sold are included, and Defence Bonds repaid on maturity are excluded, but the figures need no correction as Defence Bonds maturities have never been included in the weekly statements of net savings issued by the National Savings Committee.
§ Sir J. MellorAs the public have so far been grossly misinformed about this matter, will the right hon. and learned Gentleman see that the true figures are published in the next issue of the "News Letter"?
§ Sir S. CrippsNo, Sir. The public have not been misinformed. The position was made perfectly clear when the figures were first issued.