§ Mr. Shersbyasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has any proposals to exercise the option for the Treasury to top up the bonus on the second index-linked National Savings "Grannie" bonds, in view of the fall in the rate of inflation and the consequent impairment of the competitiveness of this investment in relation to other savings schemes.
§ Mr. Bruce-Gardyne[pursuant to his reply, of 19 October, c. 83]: Yes. I have decided to raise the return on indexed certificates by introducing a supplement for the next 12 months at least. Present holders of these certificates will be credited with a supplement of 2.4 per cent. on 1 November 1983 if they are still holding the certificates on 31 October 1983. Legislation will be included in next year's Finance Bill designed to ensure that all retirement issue certificates are treated in the same way
1978–79 1979–80 1980–81 Number of school leavers who entered: (a) University degree courses 2,850 2,840 2,860 (b) Polytechnics: (1) degree and teacher training courses 570 730 770 (2) other further and higher education courses 445 340 360 (c) Other further education establishments: (1) degree and teacher training courses 415 280 320 (2) other further and higher education courses *5,940 *6,665 *7,545 * The majority of these students will be taking further rather than higher education courses.