HC Deb 17 March 1953 vol 512 cc2047-8
20. Mr. Bence

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount of post-war credits outstanding to date.

Mr. R. A. Butler

Five hundred and eighty-two million pounds.

Mr. Bence

In view of this large sum of money which has been held by the Treasury for many years, would the right hon. Gentleman consider lowering the age at which post-war credits will be paid out, paying post-war credits to widows who are entitled to them and paying interest on the remainder?

Mr. Butler

These ideas are very interesting, but this is the time of year when I listen but do not say too much.

22. Sir E. Keeling

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has now considered the suggestion that a record should be kept of the number of holders of post-war credits who die before reaching the age for repayment.

Mr. R. A. Butler

I have considered this suggestion but I do not think that the information would be of sufficient value to justify the work involved.

Sir E. Keeling

Could my right hon. Friend say whether it would cost anything to keep this record?

Mr. Butler

The difficulty lies in making an exact record. I have been into the question and I do not think we should be able to record it accurately enough.

34. Mr. Gower

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in preparing his Budget, he will reconsider the position of the dependants of holders of post-war credits who die before attaining the age for repayment.

Mr. R. A. Butler

The question of paying post-war credits to either general or particular classes of taxpayers is one of the matters which will be for consideration when I am framing my Budget proposals.

Mr. Gower

Does not the Chancellor agree that the plight of these people was one of the most unfortunate legacies of the last Government, and will he see that this anomaly is not perpetuated much longer?

Mr. Butler

I have already said that I cannot forestall my Budget statement.

Mr. Bowles

How many of the judges whose salaries the right hon. Gentleman proposes to increase have already drawn their post-war credits?

Miss Ward

Would my right hon. Friend kindly convey to right hon. and hon. Members opposite that they have spent all the money, and that, therefore, further money is not readily available to meet these commitments?