HC Deb 12 May 1953 vol 515 c1032
7. Brigadier Clarke

asked the President of the Board of Trade how much interest will now be saved annually by his agreement to pay off the Business Scheme, Part II of the War Damage Act, 1943.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

The amount of outstanding claims that are to be paid on 1st October next is about £25 million; and interest would have accrued at the rate of about £625,000 a year on these claims so long as they remained unpaid.

Brigadier Clarke

Will my right hon. Friend not agree that the interest was rapidly catching up with the principal, that much money will be saved this country by paying the claims, and that that ought to have been done long ago?

Mr. Thorneycroft

Well, I express my satisfaction that it is now being paid.

8. Brigadier Clarke

asked the President of the Board of Trade what saving of staff he anticipates being able to make by paying off the Business Scheme, Part II of the War Damage Act, 1943.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

Twenty-four, Sir.

Brigadier Clarke

Although the number is small, I am sure that my hon. Friends on this side of the House will agree that every small decrease in the number of civil servants is to be welcomed.