HC Deb 29 November 1949 vol 470 c941
42. Mr. Osborne

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much was invested in July, 1945, in the Post Office Savings Bank, in Building Society deposits and in Trustee Savings Banks and National Savings certificates, respectively; and approximately how many separate accounts were in each item.

Sir S. Cripps

As the reply contains a number of figures I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Osborne

Is there any hope of these savers regaining the '4s. in the £ by which their savings have gone down in purchasing power since the Socialists came into power?

Sir S. Cripps

These savings were all in terms of sterling and will, of course, be repaid in sterling.

Following is the reply:

TOTAL INVESTMENT, JULY, 1945
— Amount £m. Number of Accounts*
Post Office Savings Bank 1,642 19,880,000
Building Society Deposits (excluding share capital) 152 750,000
Trustee Savings Banks 579 4,150,000
National Savings Certificates 1,816 17,500,000
* Number of live accounts except for Building Societies where the number of depositors is shown.

All the figures are approximate.