HC Deb 08 May 1953 vol 515 cc49-50W
Mr. Baker

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the cost to the country of repaying post-war credits at the age of 57.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

Post-war credits are at present being repaid at a rate of just over £16 million per annum. If the age for repayment were reduced to 57 (with a corresponding reduction to 52 for women) the total repayment in the year in which the change was made would be about £153 million, and the annual repayment thereafter would be £18 million.

industry. The following table illustrates the position:

Mr. Baker

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the cost to the country of repaying post-war credits to all cases of proven hardship.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

As the answer to this Question would depend both on what my hon. Friend means by hardship, and on the personal circumstances of individuals. I am afraid it is impossible for me to supply him with any figure which has any pretensions to accuracy.