122 and 123. Mr. Edward M. Taylorasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what is the present value, in terms of price and purchasing power, respectively, of £100 invested in War Loan in the second week of December in the year 1948; (2) what steps he is taking to increase public confidence in savings and in Gov- 166W ernment securities; and if, in particular, he will specify a date in the future for the redemption of War Loan at par.
§ Mr. TaverneThe present value in terms of price and purchasing power of £100 invested in War Loan in the second week of December, 1948, is approximately £42 and £21 respectively. As regards the second Question, I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Louth (Sir C. Osborne) on 21st November. I have no proposals for redeeming 3½ per cent. War Loan.—[Vol. 773, c.316.]
Mr. Edward M. Taylorasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many persons have holdings of War Loan; and what information he has regarding the periods of time these investments have been held.
§ Mr. TaverneThere are about one million holdings but no information is available about the length of time they have been held.