22. Mr. H. Wilsonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of staff he has estimated will be necessary in the National Debt Office, Post Office and other Government Departments concerned for the purpose of operating the Premium Bonds Scheme.
§ Mr. H. BrookeAs regards the Post Office my right hon. Friend the Postmaster-General is in the midst of planning the system and it would be premature to give any figure. Other Departments will not need additional staff.
Mr. WilsonDoes the right hon. Gentleman seriously mean to tell the House—I must say that it is incredible to me—that the Chancellor has decided to embark on this fantastic scheme without any estimate of the total cost in manpower and money of putting it into operation?
§ Mr. BrookePerhaps the right hon. Gentleman does not realise that the full details of this scheme have not yet been announced, nor of course is it possible to estimate with any certainty what the response will be. It is at a later stage that we can estimate what staff will be required.
Mr. WilsonDoes the right hon. Gentleman mean to say that under this Government decisions are taken about new ventures by any Government Department without the Treasury giving an accurate estimate of the approximate cost?
§ Mr. BrookeThis Government have shown that they can be as accurate in their estimates as were their predecessors.
§ 23. Mr. du Cannasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is now able to publish the details of the National Savings Scheme for the sale of Premium Bonds, and, in particular, to forecast the date on which these bonds will be offered for sale to the public.
§ Mr. H. BrookeI cannot yet add anything to what my right hon. Friend said in his Budget speech.