HC Deb 22 July 1966 vol 732 cc166-7W
Mr. Macdonald

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the result of the request to finance houses that their current outstanding advances should not exceed 105 per cent. of the figure 12 months before; and whether he is satisfied with this result.

Mr. MacDermot

Total outstanding lending by finance houses at the end of March, 1966 was about 71 per cent. higher than a year earlier. Many were within the 105 per cent. ceiling indicated by the Governor of the Bank of England, but some houses had increased their lending by appreciably more than 5 per cent. The Bank of England have drawn their attention to the need for prompt and strict adherence to the figure of 105 per cent., which is still the ceiling.