British Investments Abroad and Foreign Investments in Great Britain.

HC Deb 10 July 1903 vol 125 cc1143-4

MR. ATHERLEY-JONES (Durham, N. W.)

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the total amounts respectively of investments of British capital in America and France, and of French and American capital in Great Britain; if information thereon be non-existent, whether he will endeavour to procure the same; and whether the amount of British capital invested in America and France is now on the increase or decrease.

*THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. RITCHIE,) Croydon

As regards investments abroad, the only income which can be identified as coming from any particular country is the portion derived from foreign and colonial Government securities, as shown on page 183 of the last Report of the Inland Revenue. I know of no means of obtaining information as to the investment in Great Britain of French or American capital.