§ 74. Mr. Proctorasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated cost of paying widows the post-war credits of their late husbands.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterI regret this information is not at present available. I hope, however, to be able to make a statement about them in the very near future.
§ 80. Mr. Haleasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the amount of postwar credit still outstanding; what was the amount outstanding on 1st August, 1945; and what steps he proposes to clear the present liability.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterThe total amount of post-war credit originally created was £800 million, of which £603 million is still outstanding. It is not possible to say 81W how much was outstanding on 1st August, 1945, since that date was before the end of the last year for which post-war credits were created.
Post-war credits are now being released at a rate of £17 million a year. Whether this rate of release can be accelerated must depend upon the general economic position, and my right hon. Friend will consider the matter when he reviews the economic and financial state of the country at the time of the next Budget.