§ Mr. Cyril Smithasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will seek to amend existing regulations so that money invested in National Savings is excluded from the £2,500 capital allowed before certain benefits are payable.
§ Mr. Newton:No. As a general rule all savings are treated alike for the purpose of the supplementary benefit capital rule, irrespective of the form in which they are held or the source from which they derive, and I am not persuaded that an exception should be made for money invested in national savings.