asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will state the net accretions to the three savings systems for each of the years 1947 to 1955, inclusive, and whether, using these figures, he will provide a savings index, to base 1947=100, making an adjustment based on the purchasing power of the £ for the same successive periods.

The information required by the Deputy is contained in the attached statement. In arriving at the figures in columns 3, 5 and 7, the general index of purchasing power at retail prices for the period has been used.

Following is the statement:—

NET ACCRETIONS TO (A) THE POST OFFICE SAVINGS BANK, (B) THE TRUSTEE SAVINGS BANKS AND (C) SAVINGS CERTIFICATES FROM 1947 TO 1955.