§ 16. Mr. Eadieasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is satisfied with the operation of Save-As-You-Earn schemes in Scotland if he will publish the total 227 savings to date; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. William RodgersIn the first six months, 24,655 S.A.Y.E. contracts with the Department for National Savings and with Trustee Savings Banks were registered in Scotland. This is nearly 10 per cent. of the United Kingdom figure. The amount collected so far is estimated at £667,000. I regard this as an encouraging response.
§ Mr. EadieWould my hon. Friend not agree that it is time that some of our citizens who help to organise these schemes received some praise rather than having abuse heaped on them by a Tory opportunist Opposition?
§ Mr. RodgersSuch people deserve every praise, and the figures I have given show that thrifty Scots are prosperous under a Labour Government.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodCan the hon. Gentleman break those figures down, showing how many of those are genuine weekly savings and how many are on a more long-term basis?
§ Mr. RodgersI am afraid that I cannot at the moment, but I will try to help the right hon. Gentleman.