§ Mr. HanleyTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what sales of the new National Savings capital bond have been made to date; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. LilleyBy Tuesday 24 January savers had invested some £45 million in capital bonds since they were introduced on 4 January. Purchases are currently running at nearly £20 million a week. This is a most encouraging start. It demonstrates that investors are attracted by the offer of a guaranteed annual return of 12 per cent. gross of income tax over five years, regardless of what happens to other interest rates.