§ 35. Mr. Hunterasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what he estimates would be the annual amount of repayments of post-war credits over the next five years if the age for repayments were reduced to 64, 63, 62, 61, and 60 years, respectively.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftThe current rate of repayment is £17 million a year. Each year by which the age for repayment is reduced would add a further £17 million in the first year, without any substantial change in subsequent years.
§ Mr. HunterAs many people have been waiting for seventeen years for repayment of post-war credits, will the Chancellor consider lowering the age for repayment?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftI will consider all these things, but it is a costly business.
§ 36. Mr. Hunterasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total amount of post-war credits owing at the latest convenient date.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftAbout £464 million.
§ Mr. HunterWill the right hon. Gentleman take account of the fact that the purchasing power of the £ has fallen considerably in the post-war years since the system of post-war credits was introduced, and that they are now worth roughly only 55 per cent. of what they were during the war period?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftThat is more a matter of information than a question.