§ 125. Sir J. Lucasasked the Postmaster- General what is the value and percentage of the unclaimed prizes won by premium bonds up to the end of September last, through change of address or other causes.
§ Mr. K. ThompsonThe value is £4,250. It represents 0.06 per cent. of the prize funds up to September. Altogether over £7 million had by then been paid to winners.
§ 125. Sir J. Lucasasked the Postmaster- General, in view of the large number of unclaimed prizes, if he will allow holders of premium bonds to have any prizes paid direct to a bank, if desired, in the same way as company dividends are paid, thus saving risk of loss and also reducing the correspondence necessary for his Department.
§ Mr. K. ThompsonI am afraid I could not regard the percentage I have just given as justifying the adoption of my hon. Friend's suggestion. Apart from questions of cost it would involve abandoning the check upon the identity and survival of the bondholder which the present procedure provides in accordance with the prospectus.