HC Deb 12 November 1953 vol 520 cc1136-7
37. Mr. Gower

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what aggregate sums of money are due in respect of post-war credits to persons over 60 years of age and to persons between 40 and 60 years of age, respectively; and what is the total sum due to the personal representatives or beneficiaries of persons who have died before reaching the specified age for repayment.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

Statistics of actual ages of post-war credit holders are not available, but on the basis of the age distribution of the working population when the credits were created and of repayments in recent years, it is estimated that credits outstanding total about £73 million in respect of holders aged 60 and over. These will, of course, practically all be men, as women are entitled to repayment at 60.

On a similar basis, the best figures I can give in reply to the second and third parts of the Question are: about £370 million, and about £70 million respectively.

Mr. Gower

The third figure being comparatively small, would my hon. Friend look at it again, because it seems extremely unlikely that these families have been prevented from having payment solely by the death of the breadwinner?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

As my right hon. Friend has indicated, this and other proposals will be considered in connection with his Budget.

44. Mr. E. Johnson

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will set up tribunals to consider conditions of hardship which would justify the repayment of post-war credits, and lay down principles to assist such tribunals in assessing degrees of hardship.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

My right hon. Friend regrets that he cannot accept this suggestion.

Mr. Johnson

While recognising the undoubted difficulties in setting up such tribunals, may I ask my hon. Friend if he is not aware that many people, now that we have, at last, a Chancellor in whose ability they have confidence, are looking to him to mitigate undoubted hardships?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

As I have already indicated, my right hon. Friend will consider this matter when considering his Budget arrangements.