§ 37. Mr. Woodburnasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, under his regulations, the maximum of Savings Certificates is technically exceeded if and when these are not cashed at their expiry date and whether interest continues to he paid after certificates have completed the appointed term.
§ Mr. H. BrookeThe answer to the first part of the Question is "No, Sir." As to the second, interest is continuing to be paid on certificates of all issues.
§ Mr. WoodburnWill the right hon. Gentleman take steps to make this better known, because quite a number of people seem to be in doubt? When their certificates are exhausted, having reached the date of expiry, they feel that they must withdraw them. Might it not help the Savings Certificates campaign very much if they knew that, if they left them, interest would continue?
§ Mr. BrookeI do not think that there is widespread misunderstanding on this point. The details are given in the Post Office Guide, I think the right hon. Gentleman will find, and in leaflets issued by the Post Office and the National Savings Committee. I do not see what more we can do.
§ Mr. WoodburnI have made a helpful suggestion. Does the right hon. Gentleman think that the mass of the public ever reads the Post Office Guide? I doubt whether he has ever read it. People in offices sometimes have to study it, but it is like a Government Blue Book. I suggest that there could be a simpler method of reaching the ordinary person than that.
§ Mr. BrookeI do not know that they would read any additional literature which I might produce.