§ 63. Mr. Gammansasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in the negotiations with the Government of India for the payment of sterling balances, His Majesty's Government reserves the right to present a counterclaim for the defence of India during the war; and whether such a claim has been definitely put forward in the present negotiations.
§ Mr. DaltonThe answer to the first part of the Question is, "Yes, Sir." In reply to the second part of the Question, I cannot add anything to the agreed communiqué which was issued at the end of the recent conversations in India.
§ Mr. GammansIs the same principle to be applied to debts owing to other countries? Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that unless these debts are scaled down, even though they are funded, it will mean that 500,000 British workers will be producing for the next 25 years goods on which there will be no return whatsoever?
§ Mr. DaltonI am very glad to have evidence of support from hon. Members opposite in the battle I shall be conducting for some time to come to prevent the British taxpayers having to bear grossly heavy burdens.
§ Mr. GammansWill the right hon. Gentleman answer the first part of my supplementary question? Is this principle of getting these debts scaled down, to be applied, not only to India, but to Egypt and other countries defended by us during the war?
§ Mr. DaltonThe day before yesterday I gave an answer to a supplementary question by the hon. and gallant Member for New Forest and Christchurch (Colonel Crosthwaite-Eyre) in which I said:
In all negotiations about sterling balances account must be taken of the comparative war effort of the parties."—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 18th February 1947; Vol. 433, C. 978.]
§ Mr. EdenWill the right hon. Gentleman accept the assurance that that statement has full endorsement from this side of the House?