HC Deb 18 February 1970 vol 796 cc141-2W
Sir C. Taylor

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state the criteria by which he is considering whether or not to continue the practice of not seeking to bring legal proceedings against those who make voluntary disclosures of gold coins which they have been holding contrary to the provisions of Statutory Instrument No. 438, 1966.

Number of staff (including industrials) Wages and salaries for twelve months to 31st January, 1970*
£'000
Department for National Savings Headquarters 97 6,927†
National Savings Bank, London 4,844
National Savings Bank, Glasgow 2,481 1,928
National Savings Bank, Harrogate 1,445 1,648
Bonds and Stock Office, Lytham St. Annes 3,334 3,337
Savings Certificate Office, London 150½|| 660
Savings Certificate Office, Morecambe 130|| 1,767†
Savings Certificate Office, Durham‡ 1,948
National Savings Committee for England and Wales§ 606 969
National Savings Committee for Scotland§ 61½ 99
TOTAL: 15,097 17,335
* Includes Selective Employment Tax and employer's contributions to National Insurance. Graduated Pensions, etc.
† Separate salary figures not readily available.
‡ Includes Save As You Earn Office.
§ The staff of the National Savings Committees are widely dispersed.
|| Rapidly dimishing staff owing to dispersal.

Mr. Taverne

The purpose of the measures of control over gold coins is to discourage hoarding and promote dishoarding. I am satisfied that in that context the practice of not seeking to bring prosecutions in cases of voluntary disclosure is justified for the time being.