asked the Taoiseach if he will give an approximate breakdown on the figure of £31,000,000 for personal savings for 1956 distinguishing between (a) life assurance, (b) superannuation funds, (c) post office and other small savings, (d) building societies, (e) private businesses and (f) other separately distinguishable items of personal savings.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Personal Savings.
Personal savings, which is the difference between personal income and personal expenditure, is computed as a residual figure in the national accounts, and it is not possible, therefore, to allocate the savings between the constituents listed by the Deputy. It should be observed that personal savings includes, in addition to monetary items, the value of the changes in the numbers of live stock on farms and the value of the physical changes in the stocks of unincorporated businesses.
Some of the items listed by the Deputy can be estimated independently.
The amount outstanding on savings certificates, including interest due, increased by £2.3 million in the year ending 31st March, 1957.
Deposits less withdrawals plus interest credited to depositors in the Post Office Savings Bank amounted to £2.4 million in 1956.
There was an increase of £0.6 million in 1956 in the liabilities to shareholders and the liabilities due for deposits and loans in building societies.
There was an increase of £0.5 million between 20th November, 1955, and 20th November, 1956, in the balances due to depositors in the trustee savings banks.
The total income less total outgo of life assurance companies was £4.1 million in 1955. Corresponding information in respect of 1956 is not yet available.
No information is available regarding the changes in superannuation funds and the savings of unincorporated businesses.