HC Deb 22 February 1966 vol 725 cc221-2
27. Mr. Cordle

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he proposes to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the inauguration of the National Savings Committee in March, 1966; and whether he will use this opportunity to ensure a renewed inflow of National Savings, to encourage the voluntary workers in the savings movement.

Mr. Callaghan

Yes, Sir. There will be a ceremony at the Guildhall on 30th March to which Her Majesty The Queen has accepted an invitation followed by functions in other cities and towns. This will help to encourage the work of the National Savings Movement in its jubilee year.

Mr. Cordle

Is it not satisfying that there are sufficient funds for the local and national committees to carry out the publicity of the celebrations of the jubilee? Would he not agree that, perhaps, a 1 per cent. bonus increase from 1st March would be a great incentive to savings?

Mr. Callaghan

As regards the first part of the question, the voluntary work of so many thousands of National Savings workers is being recognised in a very marked way by the allocation of sufficient funds to enable the celebrations to go on. I can make no comment on the second part of the question.

Mr. Stratton Mills

Is it not clear that public money is flowing out of savings certificates, in particular, in a torrent and that unless the Chancellor, in conjunction with the National Savings Movement, looks at some method of increasing the attraction of Savings Certificates, this trend will continue?

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