§ 5. Mr. Freudasked the Chancellor of the Excehquer what is the current interest paid to investors in (a) premium bonds, and (b) index-linked retirement certificates; and how much money was spent promoting each of these investments in March 1981 and April 1981.
§ Mr. LawsonNo interest is paid on either. The premium bond prize is equivalent to 7 per cent. of the value of the eligible bond, and the index-linked retirement certificates qualify for a bonus of 4 per cent. of the purchase price after five years.
In March about £130,000 was spent promoting premium savings bonds and some £750,000 on the second index-linked issue of national savings certificates. The corresponding estimates for April are £13,000 and £450,000.