§ Mr. Cyril Smithasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the amount of the grant to be made to the National Savings Committee; and what is the intended cash saving on the abolition of the National Savings Movement and the dispersal of its staff.
§ Mr. Denzil DaviesThe National Savings Movement which is a partnership48W of the Voluntary Movement, the Department for National Savings and the trustee savings banks, is not being abolished, but as part of the overall plan to reduce public expenditure the Civil Service support staff to the Voluntary Movement is to be withdrawn by 31st March 1978; they will, in the main, be absorbed within the Civil Service. The Voluntary Movement has been examining very closely how its objectives might be adjusted to a new situation, and we have begun discussions with its leaders about its future rôle. The question of Government financial support must await the outcome of these discussions. It is estimated that the saving in salaries, superannuation and other directly related expenditure, but excluding accommodation, arising from the withdrawal of the support staff will be around £3.4 million in a full financial year at November 1976 prices.