HC Deb 10 March 1953 vol 512 cc1112-4
28 and 29. Mr. Bence

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what percentage of post-war credits, standing in the names of deceased persons, has been paid out to-date to their next-of-kin;

(2) how many holders of post-war credits have died before becoming eligible to draw their post-war credits.

The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Mr. John Boyd-Carpenter)

I regret that this information is not available.

Mr. Bence

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider paying out the post-war credits immediately on the decease of the holder, because it is quite possible that post-war credits may be held by the Treasury for decades and even centuries?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

That is an interesting question, but it is not this Question.

Mr. Shurmer

Is the Financial Secretary aware that in many instances the wife of the deceased may be a little younger and left in dire circumstances and often dependent upon the family? Cannot there be a scheme whereby post-war credits can be paid to those families, if they find themselves in dire need?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will be good enough to put that question on the Order Paper.

Sir Edward Keeling

Should not the figures asked for, at least in Question No. 29, be kept from now on, so as to show the unfairness of the present rule?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

Without prejudice to the innuendo in that question, I will certainly consider my hon. Friend's suggestion.

Mr. Shinwell

Can the Minister state the actual reason for refusing any relaxation in this matter? Is it because the Government have not the money, or is it because of the fear of inflation? Will he tell us the actual position?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

If the right hon. Gentleman will be good enough to put down a Question on the subject, I shall be glad to answer it.

Mr. Bence

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I will raise the matter on the Adjournment.

30. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in framing his Budget, he will improve the conditions on which post-war credits are held, by enabling holders of these credits to secure repayment earlier than they can at present do so.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

I regret that I cannot anticipate my right hon. Friend's Budget statement.

Mr. Hughes

Does the Minister not realise that unfavourable conditions were introduced after post-war credits were instituted and that is a breach of faith to the people who hold post-war credits? Does he not also realise that this is a matter which should be rectified, and will he take steps to rectify it in the interests of honesty and fair play?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

While not accepting the suggestion of the hon. and learned Gentleman that there was any breach of faith, I am bound to remind him that if there were, nothing was done to put that right during the six years of the previous Administration.

Mr. Shinwell

Now that the hon. Gentleman has shown that he is not prepared to answer questions about the past and cannot answer questions about the future, will he say what he can answer?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

The right hon. Gentleman might recall that in my previous answer to a supplementary question I drew his attention and that of the House to the past of the previous Administration.