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An Act to consolidate certain enactments relating to the national debt and the Director of Savings, with corrections and minor improvements made under the Consolidation of Enactments (Procedure) Act 1949.
[9th August 1972]
E1For the extension of this Act to the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man see s. 19.
I1Act wholly in force at Royal Assent.
(1)The Treasury may appoint a person to be Director of Savings and the functions of the Director shall include those conferred on him by this Act.
(2)Any expenses of the Director of Savings shall, unless required by any Act to be borne in some other manner, be defrayed out of money provided by Parliament.
(1)The register—
(a)which was established in pursuance of section 1 of the M1War Loan (Supplemental Provisions) Act 1915 as amended by section 2 of the M2War Loan Act 1918; and
(b)with which, by virtue of section 12(2) of the M3Savings Banks Act 1929, were amalgamated such stock registers as by virtue of the M4Savings Banks Act 1880 had been established by savings banks authorities; and
(c)of which the name was changed from the Post Office register to the National Savings Stock Register by section 108(1) of the M5Post Office Act 1969,
shall continue in existence by the name of the National Savings Stock Register and is hereafter in this Act referred to as “the register”.
(2)The register, . . . F1, shall continue to be kept by the Director of Savings.
[F2(3)Any description of government stock which is not for the time being included in Part I of Schedule 11 to the Finance Act 1942 may be registered in the register.]
F1Words repealed by Trustee Savings Banks Act 1976 (c. 4), Sch. 6 which repeal came into force on 20.7.1986 by virtue of S.I. 1986/1221, art. 3
F2S. 2(3) substituted (20.7.1998) by S.I. 1998/1446, art. 30(1), Sch. 1 para. 1 (for s. 2(3)(4) which has been inserted in part by S.I. 1997/2646, reg. 6(2)(3))
M11915 c. 93.
M21918 c. 25.
M31929 c. 27.
M41880 c. 36.
M51969 c. 48.
(1)[F1The appropriate authority] may make regulations with respect to the keeping of the register and stock registered therein, and in particular with respect to—
(a)investments in and sales of stock so registered and the receipt and payment of interest thereon;
(b)the manner in which and the conditions subject to which stock may be transferred F2. . . from the name of the holder registered in the register to that of any other person registered or to be registered therein F2. . .;
[F3(bb)the redemption of stock registered in the register;]
(c)the commissions and fees payable in respect of dealings in stock registered in the register;
(d)the maximum amount of stock which may be registered in the register in any one holding in any one year or at any one time and the exceptions which are to be allowed from any such limits in the case of friendly societies, trade unions or other similar bodies;
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F4
(2)Regulations under this section—
F5(a). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F5(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(c)may apply with such modifications as appear necessary or expedient, to stock registered in the register F6. . ., any of the provisions of the M1National Debt Act 1870, subsections (1) to (6) of section 5 of the M2Miscellaneous Financial Provisions Act 1955 or any Act, regulation or warrant relating to savings banks;
(d)may direct that all or any of the provisions of the regulations shall, with such modifications as appear necessary or expedient, apply and be deemed always to have applied to stock issued before the date on which the regulations come into force as they apply to stock issued after that date;
(e)may contain such consequential and supplemental provisions as appear necessary or expedient for giving full effect to the regulations.
(3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F7
F1Words “The Treasury” substituted for words “The appropriate authority” by Trustee Savings Banks Act 1976 (c. 4), Sch. 5 para. 19(a)(i) which substitution fell by virtue of Trustee Savings Banks Act 1981 (c. 65, SIF 110), s. 55(2)(3), Sch. 7 para. 12(b), Sch. 8 and Trustee Savings Banks Act 1985 (c. 58, SIF 110), ss. 4(3), 7(3), Sch. 4 and S.I. 1986/1223, art. 2(a); “The appropriate authority” was defined by s. 3(3) of the original Act as meaning the Treasury except in the case of regulations relating to the National Debt Commissioners and in that case meaning the Treasury in conjunction with those Commissioners.
F2Words in s. 3(1)(b) repealed (20.7.1998) by S.I. 1998/1446, art. 30(2), Sch. 2 Pt. I
F3S. 3(1)(bb) inserted (prosp.) by Finance Act 1989 (c. 26, SIF 99:3), s. 183(2)
F4Words repealed by Trustee Savings Banks Act 1976 (c. 4), Sch. 6 which repeal came into force on 20.7.1986 by virtue of S.I. 1986/1221, art. 3
F5S. 3(2)(a)(b) repealed (20.7.1998) by S.I. 1998/1446, art. 30(2), Sch. 2 Pt. I
F6Words in s. 3(2)(c) repealed (20.7.1998) by S.I. 1998/1446, art. 30(2), Sch. 2 Pt. I
F7Ss. 3(3), 7(3), 14 repealed by Trustee Savings Banks Act 1976 (c. 4), Sch. 6
M11870 c. 71.
M21955 c. 6. (4 & 5 Eliz. 2).
In the event of the redemption of any government stock, the register may be closed for transfers of stock for not more than one month immediately preceding the redemption date.
(1)If a dispute arises between the Director of Savings and the holder of any stock registered in the register or a person claiming to be entitled to any such stock, the matter in dispute shall be referred in writing to a person (“the adjudicator”) appointed under section 84 of the Friendly Societies Act 1992.
(2)On a reference under the foregoing subsection the adjudicator may proceed ex parte on notice in writing sent by post to the Director of Savings, and may inspect the register and may administer oaths to any witnesses appearing before him, and his award on the matter in dispute shall be final and binding on all parties.]
F1S. 5 substituted (1.1.1993) by Friendly Societies Act 1992 (c. 40), s. 120(1), Sch. 21 Pt. I para.4 (with ss. 7(5), 93(4)); S.I. 1992/3117, art. 2(iii).
C1S. 5(1) modified (1.1.1993) by Friendly Societies Act 1992 (c. 40), s. 84(1)(b) (with ss. 7(5), 93(4)); S.I. 1992/3117, art. 2(i).
F1S. 6 repealed (20.7.1998) by S.I. 1998/1446, art. 30(2), Sch. 2 Pt. I
(1)In the case of the death of a person entitled to stock registered in the register, the production—
(a)of probate or letters of administration granted by any court in the Isle of Man or in any of the Channel Islands having authority to grant the same; or
(b)of a certified copy of probate or letters of administration so granted,
shall be sufficient authority to [F1the appropriate authority], . . . F2, to transfer the stock to the person to whom the probate or letters of administration were granted or as directed by that person; [F1the Director of Savings] shall not transfer stock in pursuance of this section except on production to it of a certificate from the Commissioners of Inland Revenue showing either that all death duties payable in Great Britain in respect of the stock have been paid or that no duty is payable in Great Britain in respect thereof.
(2)Where any stock is transferred in pursuance of this section [F3the appropriate authority and the National Debt Commissioners] shall, notwithstanding the invalidity of or any defect in the probate or letters of administration, be freed, discharged and indemnified from and against all proceedings of any kind whatsoever brought against them by any person whatsoever for or in respect of the transfer of the stock.
(3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F4
(4)Subsection (1) of this section shall have effect in its application to Northern Ireland with the substitution of references to Northern Ireland for the references to Great Britain and of a reference to the Minister of Finance for Northern Ireland for the reference to the Commissioners of Inland Revenue.
F1Words “the Director of Savings” substituted for words “the appropriate authority” by Trustee Savings Banks Act 1976 (c. 4), Sch. 5 para. 20(a)(ii), which substitution falls by virtue of Trustee Savings Banks Act 1981 (c. 65, SIF 110), s. 55(2)(3), Sch. 7 para. 12(b), Sch. 8 and Trustee Savings Banks Act 1985 (c. 58, SIF 110), ss. 4(3), 7(3), Sch. 4 and S.I. 1986/1223, art. 2(a): “the appropriate authority” was defined by s. 7(3) of the original Act as meaning, in relation to stock registered otherwise than in a part of the register kept by the trustees of a trustee savings bank, the Director of Savings and, in relation to stock registered in a part of the register kept by the trustees of a trustee savings bank, the trustees of that bank.
F2Words repealed by Trustee Savings Banks Act 1976 (c. 4), Sch. 6 which repeal came into force on 20.7.1986 by virtue of S.I. 1986/1221, art. 3
F3Words “the Director of Savings” substituted for words “the appropriate authority and the National Debt Commissioners” by Trustee Savings Banks Act 1976 (c. 4), Sch. 5 para. 20(b), which substitution falls by virtue of Trustee Savings Banks Act 1981 (c.65, SIF 110), s. 55(2)(3), Sch. 7 para. 12(b), Sch. 8 and Trustee Savings Banks Act 1985 (c.58, SIF 110), ss. 4(3), 7(3), Sch. 4 and S.I. 1986/1223, art. 2(a): “the appropriate authority” was defined by s. 7(3) of the original Act as meaning, in relation to stock registered otherwise than in a part of the register kept by the trustees of a trustee savings bank, the Director of Savings and, in relation to stock registered in a part of the register kept by the trustees of a trustee savings bank, the trustees of that bank.
F4Ss. 3(3), 7(3), 14 repealed by Trustee Savings Banks Act 1976 (c. 4), Sch. 6
(1)National savings certificates shall bear such rate of interest as the Treasury think fit; and the principal of and interest on such certificates and any expenses incurred in connection with the issue of them shall be charged on the National Loans Fund with recourse to the Consolidated Fund.
(2)National savings certificates shall be subject to such conditions as to repayment or otherwise as the Treasury think fit, and notwithstanding anything in those conditions or the foregoing subsection or any regulations made or having effect as if made under this Act, but subject to the following subsection, the Treasury may from time to time direct that the period at the expiration of which such of those certificates as are specified in the direction are required to be redeemed or repaid shall be prolonged to such an extent and on such conditions as to interest and otherwise as are so specified.
(3)Nothing in the foregoing subsection shall prejudice the right of a holder of a national savings certficate to have the amount payable under the certificate paid to him on or before maturity.
(4)References in this section to national savings certificates are to such certificates issued under section 59 of the M1Finance Act 1920, section 7 of the M2National Debt Act 1958 or section 12 of the M3National Loans Act 1968.
(1)War savings certificates held immediately before the date of the passing of this Act may continue to be held thereafter on the conditions applicable thereto immediately before that date.
(2)The principal of and interest on war savings certificates, and any expenses incurred in connection with the redemption thereof, shall be charged on the National Loans Fund with recourse to the Consolidated Fund.
(3)In this section “war savings certificates” means certificates issued by that name under the M1War Loan Act 1915 or section 58 of the M2Finance Act 1916.
(1)The Treasury may make regulations for applying to national savings stamps, with the necessary modifications, all or any of the provisions of the M1Stamp Duties Management Act 1891, section 9 of the M2Stamp Act 1891 and section 63 of the M3Post Office Act 1953.
(2)If at any time it appears to the Treasury that, in the case of any national savings stamps or national savings gift tokens, no further sum will become payable in respect of the exchange or encashment of those stamps or tokens, the Treasury may issue to the National Debt Commissioners out of the National Loans Fund sums equal to the face value of those stamps or tokens; and the National Debt Commissioners shall deal with those sums as if they were paid to the Commissioners in respect of unclaimed redemption moneys under section 5 of the M4Miscellaneous Financial Provisions Act 1955.
(3)In this section “national savings stamp” and “national savings gift token” means respectively a stamp or token sold by the Postmaster General or the Director of Savings which may be used in the purchase of national savings certificates or premium savings bonds or in different ways one of which is the purchase of national savings certificates, premium savings bonds or some description of government stock.
M11891 c. 38.
M21891 c. 39.
M31953 c. 36.
M41955 c. 6. (4 & 5 Eliz. 2).
(1)The Treasury may make regulations with respect to the manner in which and the conditions under which money authorised to be raised under the M1National Loans Act 1968 may be raised—
(a)under the auspices of the Director of Savings (whether by the issue of national savings certificates or otherwise); or
(b)through . . . F1 any bank or department certified by the Treasury for the purposes of section 414 of the M2Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1970 (which relates to savings banks maintained under local Acts).
(2)Regulations under this section may—
(a)apply any provision of any Act (including this Act) relating to savings banks or the register, or of any regulations made under any such Act, with such modifications as appear necessary or expedient;
(b)direct that all or any of the provisions of the regulations shall, with such modifications as appear necessary or expedient, apply and be deemed always to have applied to money raised before the date on which the regulations come into force as they apply to money raised after that date,
so however that, in relation to . . . F1 banks and departments certified as mentioned in the foregoing subsection, paragraph (a) of this subsection shall have effect as if the reference to the register were omitted.
(3)For the purposes of this section—
(a)money raised under the M3National Loans Act 1939 or the M4National Loans Act 1968 through the department of the Postmaster General;
(b)money raised by the issue of war savings certificates within the meaning of section 9 of this Act; and
(c)money raised by the issue of national savings certificates under section 59 of the M5Finance Act 1920 or section 7 of the M6National Debt Act 1958 or by the issue of such certificates through the department of the Postmaster General under section 12 of the National Loans Act 1968,
shall be treated as raised under the National Loans Act 1968 under the auspices of the Director of Savings.
F1Words repealed by Trustee Savings Banks Act 1976 (c. 4), Sch. 6 which repeal came into force on 20.7.1986 by virtue of S.I. 1986/1221, art. 3
M11968 c. 13.
M21970 c. 10.
M31939 c. 117.
M41968 c. 13.
M51920 c. 18.
M61958 c. 6. (7 & 8 Eliz. 2).
Where the Director of Savings is satisfied that a bond to bearer issued on behalf of the Treasury by him or by the Postmaster General, or a coupon of any such bond, has been lost or destroyed, he may if he thinks fit and on such conditions as he thinks fit, but subject to any general directions of the Treasury, issue a new bond or coupon on receiving indemnity to his satisfaction against the claims of all persons deriving title under the bond or coupon lost or destroyed.
The principal of and interest on 3½% War Loan, and any expenses incurred in connection with the redemption thereof, shall be charged on the National Loans Fund with recourse to the Consolidated Fund.
F1Ss. 3(3), 7(3), 14 repealed by Trustee Savings Banks Act 1976 (c. 4), Sch. 6
(1)In this Act “government stock” means securities of the following descriptions:—
2½% Consolidated Stock,
2¾% Annuities,
2½% Annuities,
Guaranteed 2¾% Stock,
Guaranteed 3% Stock,
3½% War Loan,
Guaranteed 4½% Bonds,
Any securities issued under the M1War Loan Act 1919, the M2National Loans Act 1939, section 28 or 29 of the M3Finance Act 1935, . . . F1 section 1 of the M4Bank of England Act 1946, section 21 or 32 of the M5Coal Industry Nationalisation Act 1946, section 1 of the M6Cable and Wireless Act 1946,
Any such stock as is mentioned in section 26(1) of the M7Iron and Steel Act 1967,
Any securities issued under the M8National Loans Act 1968 other than—
national savings certificates, premium savings bonds, national savings stamps and national savings gift tokens; and
such securities as the Treasury may specify by order for the purposes of this paragraph;
and for the avoidance of doubt it is hereby declared that the reference in this subsection to securities issued under the M9War Loan Act 1919 or the M10National Loans Act 1939 includes a reference to securities which, by virtue of any other enactment, are deemed to have been issued, or are required to be treated as having been issued, under either of those Acts.
National Debt Act 1972