Personal Savings (Hansard, 6 November 1945)

§ Mr. Piratin
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of War Savings Certificates are in holdings of the maximum amount.

§ Mr. Dalton
The information at present available is derived from an investigation carried out in 1942 and reported on 20th October, 1942, to the House of Commons by Sir Kingsley Wood (then Chancellor of the Exchequer) in the following terms:—We have carried out a statistical inquiry which suggests that, out of about 15,500,000 holders who possess Certificates, some 750,000 or just under 5 per cent. possess the full 500.

§ Sir F. Sanderson
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will state the increase in Post Office Savings since January, 1940; and the total sales of Saving Certificates to the end of September last.
1246W

§ Mr. Dalton
The increase in deposits in the Post Office Savings Bank between 1st January, 1940, and 30th September, 1945, was in round figures £1,164,695,000. This includes interest. It also includes some £51,000,000 paid in by the Service Departments and the Home Office in respect of Release Benefits for Service and Civil Defence personnel.
The total sales of Savings Certificates are as follows:—

£ millions

From 1916 (when this security was first issued) to 30th September, 1945 2,564

Of that total the sales from 1st January, 1940, to 30th September, 1945, accounted for 1,420

§ Sir F. Sanderson
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total amount of small savings during the period of the war to the 30th September, 1945.

§ Mr. Dalton
Figures for the period of the War Savings Campaign (22nd November, 1939, to 14th August, 1945) were given in my reply of 24th August last to the hon. Baronet the Member for Orpington (Sir W. Smithers). The figures of small savings from 14th August to 30th September, 1945, are as follows:—

National Savings Certificates £23,809,790

Defence Bonds £24,493,485

Increase in balances due to depositors in Post Office and Trustee Savings Banks (excluding Release Benefits credited to accounts in the Post Office Savings Bank) £27,396,652

	£ millions
From 1916 (when this security was first issued) to 30th September, 1945	2,564
Of that total the sales from 1st January, 1940, to 30th September, 1945, accounted for	1,420

National Savings Certificates	£23,809,790
Defence Bonds	£24,493,485
Increase in balances due to depositors in Post Office and Trustee Savings Banks (excluding Release Benefits credited to accounts in the Post Office Savings Bank)	£27,396,652