HC Deb 06 May 1943 vol 389 cc303-4
63. Mr. Stokes

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount in borrowing, up to 31st December, 1942, or near date, from each of the countries who are making common cause with us and whom we are defending, together with interest rates attached to such borrowing?

Sir K. Wood

I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list of the external loans contracted by His Majesty's Government in the course of the war as at 31st December, 1942. This figure must be distinguished from the much greater figure of the external liabilities of the country at large, which mostly takes the form of deposits of sterling or sterling securities held by overseas countries.

Mr. Stokes

Can the Chancellor give the House some indication what these rates are? Would it be correct to say there are no interest rates above 3 per cent.?

Sir K. Wood

The hon. Member is asking an entirely different Question.

Mr. Stokes

No, it is part of the Question.

Following is the list:

The following table shows amounts borrowed by His Majesty's Government and outstanding at 31st December, 1942:

Country. Rate of Interest. Amount.
Per cent. £000
Canadian Government Free 157,303
U.S.A.: Reconstruction 3 90,819
Finance Corporation.
Belgian Government Free 25,200
Indian Government 30,054
East African Governments 2½ & Free 5,650
Ceylon Government 3, 2½, & Free 4,324
Federated Malay States Government. Free 2,038
Trinidad Government 3, 2 & Free 2,016
Newfoundland Government. Free 1,528
Miscellaneous Loans from Colonies, etc. (under £1 million). 4,759
323,691