HC Deb 30 June 1965 vol 715 cc613-4
23. Mr. William Hamilton

asked the Postmaster-General whether regular checks are made to ensure that each premium bond prizewinners' draw includes all eligible bond numbers; and what complaints he has received on this matter.

Mr. Joseph Slater

I can assure my hon. Friend that a number of elaborate checks are regularly made. Occasionally bond-holders question whether their bonds have been included in the draws; but during the many years for which the system has been working no case has come to light in which an eligible bond has failed to get its due chance of a prize.

Mr. Hamilton

Does my hon. Friend recognise that this Question arose directly out of an article in the Daily Mirror a few weeks ago, and will he take this opportunity of affirming that there were inaccuracies in that report and that all possible steps are taken to ensure that every premium bond holder's number goes into the draw when eligible?

Mr. Slater

I am pleased my hon. Friend has given me an opportunity to follow up the question of the Daily Mirror article. I have no doubt that many hon. Gentlemen read this article. It was founded on two separate and isolated cases. One case reported in the Daily Mirror of March, 1964, alleged a bundle of completed application forms for the purchase of premium bonds had been retained at a bank for six months. This story could not be corroborated and the London Clearing Banks Committee could throw no light on the matter. In the second case a bond holder wrote to the Financial Times alleging that in 1961 two application forms relating to his bonds were kept in a drawer for eight months after being so mutilated that the bond owner could not be traced. The actual facts were quite different. In September, 1961, the account at Worksop Post Office indicated the sale of the two bonds, in total £6, but our checks showed that the application forms had not been received in the Bond Office.

Mr. Shinwell

Is my right hon. Friend aware that my number seems to be constantly ignored? Will he be good enough to look into the matter?

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