§ 57. Dr. Segalasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimated sums would be involved by the immediate repayment of post-war credits to persons at ages five and 10 years, respectively, below those now entitled to repayment.
§ The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Mr. Glenvil Hall)I am afraid that this information is not available.
§ Dr. SegalIs it possible to elicit some general estimate of what the sums involved are likely to be?
§ Mr. Glenvil HallIt is very difficult, and any estimate can, of course, be only an estimate; it is impossible for us to be accurate when we are making it. I would remind the House that we made an estimate for the first year's payments of £26 million, and more than double that amount was paid out.
§ Lieut.-Commander BraithwaiteWhen the Financial Secretary tells us that he has not got this information, does he mean that the question of the more rapid payment of post-war credits was not even examined before the introduction of the Budget, despite the number of times the matter has been raised on both sides of the House?
§ Mr. Glenvil HallIt does not mean that at all.