HC Deb 18 October 1949 vol 468 cc477-8
38. Sir J. Mellor

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement upon the present position of National Savings.

55. Brigadier Medlicott

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement upon the present position in relation to National Savings.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Sir Stafford Cripps)

I shall be making such a statement tomorrow evening at the National Savings Rally, but if the hon. Member has any particular points as to which he desires information perhaps he would put a Question down.

Sir J. Mellor

Is not this the proper place in which a statement should be made? I should like to ask the right hon. and learned Gentleman in particular whether he is prepared to make the terms offered more attractive to savers.

Sir S. Cripps

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will put that question on the Paper.

Mr. H. Strauss

Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman deal with the week-end speech of his colleague the Minister of Health who said that people's money would be redistributed by way of retribution? Will that help savings?

Sir S. Cripps

I shall hope to deal with my own speech and with that of nobody else.

Earl Winterton

Can the right hon. and learned Gentleman make it clear—it is not clear from his answer—that this House is the proper place in which to make important statements?

Sir S. Cripps

I do not propose to make any important statement. I propose to make a statement at the National Savings Rally, at which representatives of other political parties will also make statements.

Sir J. Mellor

Are we to understand that the right hon. and learned Gentleman does not propose to make any announcement whatsoever, and does not propose to make any departure from his existing policy with regard to National Savings?

Sir S. Cripps

Certainly.