Currency (Postal Orders)

47.

 Sir Herbert Williams
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he proposes to bring to an end the use of postal orders as legal tender?

The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Sir John Simon)
As quickly as possible. It is not yet possible to say how soon the use of postal orders as currency will be completely unnecessary. My hon. Friend will appreciate that this was a precaution taken against any temporary local shortage of notes or silver due to large movements of the population.

Sir H. Williams
With a view to safeguarding the revenue, will my right hon. Friend restore the poundage so that people who want this currency may contribute as much to the revenue as they have done in the past?

Mr. Maxton
What is the objection to the use of Postal orders, which is the only currency the State issues?

Sir J. Simon
The reason why this provision had to be made was to provide against any difficulties that there might be in some parts of the country and in regard to the distribution of the population. The local banks could not be expected to have ordinary currency in the necessary quantities to meet that risk. Therefore, we have at the moment to allow postal orders to be used as legal tender.

Sir H. Williams
Will my right hon. Friend make sure that the football pools do not get away with it?