HC Deb 01 October 1931 vol 257 c523
71. Mr. THORNE

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of countries which have discontinued the Gold Standard since 28th September, 1931; and whether any effort has been made since that date to convene an international conference for the purpose of fixing an international standard of exchange?

Mr. P. SNOWDEN

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on Monday last, to which I have nothing to add.

Mr. THORNE

Now that other countries have definitely decided to go off the Gold Standard, does not the right hon. Gentleman recognise, in view of the precarious state of the exchange, that it is time that either this country or some other country brought about an international conference for the purpose of stabilising the exchanges?

Mr. SNOWDEN

I gave a full reply to that question to the hon. Member the other day.

Mr. THORNE

Will the right hon. Gentleman say if this country is not prepared to convene an international conference on the question because of his intriguing friends behind him?

Mr. SNOWDEN

I have expressed more than once the willingness of His Majesty's Government to enter into such a conference.