§ 5. Mr. RAMSDENasked the President of the Board of Trade whether steps have now been taken to arrange agreements whereby frozen or blocked accounts in foreign currencies can be used in payment of goods purchased for export?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Runciman)I am not yet in a position to add to the statement made on Tuesday last in reply to my hon. Friend and the Member for the Platting Division of Manchester (Mr. Chorlton).
§ Mr. RAMSDENIn view of the importance of this matter to trade and industry, will not urgent steps be taken to deal with it?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANA full statement was made, I think, on Tuesday last.
§ Mr. RAMSDENAre instructions given to heads of commissions to act in this matter?
§ Mr. NEIL MACLEANCan the right hon. Gentleman state how many of the ships that were sold to foreigners have been brought into port under these conditions?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThis has nothing to do with that matter.