§ The floating debt could not have been kept to this level but for the success of the National Savings Movement, which has enjoyed a golden year, if I may describe it like that. During the year net sales of National Savings certificates were £132 million, Defence bonds £108 million and Premium Savings bonds £66 million. The Trustee Savings banks have also had a good year with an increase of about £40 million in the amount invested. The Post Office Savings were not quite so good, but there has been a welcome improvement in recent months. These results have taken the Savings Movement a very long way past the target of £150 million which Lord Mackintosh gave me at this time last year, and which I think I reported then to the Committee.
§ In fact, we have had an increase of well over £300 million net in the amount invested in the various forms of national savings—the best figure for twelve years. It is very heartening to see such a fine response to a combination of enthusiastic salesmanship and what are rightly regarded as attractive terms for these savings securities. The figures which I have given show once again what an extremely valuable and important part these small savings play in raising the funds for investment for the future wellbeing and development of our country. They are surely an impressive tribute to the unflagging efforts of the devoted groups of voluntary workers up and down the country who give up so much time to this.