§ Sir C. Osborneasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, since the hire purchase debt increased by £21 million in May against £18 million in April, and now stands at the record figure of £1,178 million, against £1,024 million a year ago, what new restrictions he will impose on the home market so as to drive more goods to exports; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. CallaghanThe statutory minimum down-payment required in most hire purchase transactions was increased on 3rd June, and I expect subsequent figures for the change in debt outstanding to reflect this.