asked the Postmaster-General in what circumstances he refuses to permit repayment of National Savings Certificates held by children under seven years of age when their parent or guardian makes proper application for him to authorise repayment.

The Savings Certificates Statutory Regulations provide that no repayment shall be made in respect of a Certificate held by a person under the age of seven years except at my discretion. This discretion is normally exercised only where the money is needed for the maintenance, education or other benefit of the child and there appears to be no other source from which the money could reasonably be obtained.