§ Sir D. Hackingasked the Postmaster General whether he is aware of the instruction printed on the receipt given to purchasers of Defence Bonds, that if a bond book is not received within 14 days he should write to the Controller of the Savings Bank, and of a similar instruction printed on bond books with regard to further purchases; whether he still desires investors to write as requested on the receipt and the book; and the approximate time which will elapse before the present delay in sending bond books and the acknowledgments of additional purchases will be remedied?
§ Captain CrookshankI am aware that the instructions referred to are printed on the receipt forms and on the majority of bond books issued. The recent delay in despatching the books to purchasers has been due to pressure on the Savings Bank staff resulting from the outstanding success of the "Wings for Victory" campaign. Now that the campaign is finished, an appreciable reduction of the delay may be expected forthwith; but owing to staffing difficulties the despatch of the books within the period of 14 days cannot be ensured, and I should be grateful if purchasers of bonds would allow 21 days to elapse before communicating with the Controller. The receipt form is being amended accordingly on reprint. The acknowledging of additional purchases of bonds was discontinued on and from 9th December last year as a measure of economy of man-power and paper. Publicity was given to the discontinuance in the Press and by broadcast announcement, and thereafter the instruction on the books was cancelled by overstamping as they were issued to purchasers. It does not appear in the latest print of the books.