§ Captain BARNETTasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the annuity rates now quoted by the National Debt Office yield in some cases no higher income than the 5 per Cent. War Loan, while depriving the annuitant of his capital; and, if so, whether, in view of the altered value of money, he will consider the expediency of revising the Statutes 10 Geo. IV., cap. 24, and 51 and 52 Vic., cap. 15, etc., which regulate the cost of annuities?
§ Mr. BALDWINIt is the case that at certain young ages, at which however annuities are rarely asked for, the National Debt Office rate yields no higherincome than 5 per Cent. War Loan. I am considering whether a revision of the present rates is desirable, but I may point out that the price of the 5 per Cent. War Loan, which is redeemable at the Government's option in 1929 isprimâ facie not so suitable a basis for the grant of life annuities as the price of Consols.