§ 43. Mr. CHORLTONasked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if he is aware of the attempts of the Danish authorities to try to stop kroner deposits in Copenhagen banks made by manufacturers of goods from this country; and will he see that a stop is put to this?
§ Mr. COLVILLEI am not aware of any case in which the deposit of kroner in a Copenhagen bank in respect of a debt due to a United Kingdom exporter has been refused. I am, however, aware that the use of such kroner deposits is subject to certain limitations in order to prevent the evasion of the general exchange regulations.
§ Mr. CHORLTONIf I give information to the hon. Gentleman will he take some action?
§ Mr. COLVILLEI shall be glad if my hon. Friend will give me details of any case he has in mind.
§ 44. Mr. CHORLTONasked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if he is aware that customers in Denmark of British manufacturers have only 1100 received import licences for 8 per cent, to 12 per cent, of their British requirements; and what steps he will take to remedy this?
§ Mr. COLVILLELicences for the first eight months of 1932 are being granted to Danish importers in proportion to their respective importations during 1931. Those importers who have purchased on a relatively liberal scale during the earlier months of the year have now only a small part of their allocation remaining. Other importers have larger unexhausted balances. These restrictions apply to importations of goods from all countries.
§ Mr. CHORLTONIs the hon. Gentleman aware that discrimination is in fact taking place against us?
§ Mr. COLVILLENo, Sir. I have no evidence to support that statement but, again, if my hon. Friend has any case in mind, I shall be glad to have the details from him.
§ 46. Mr. CHORLTONasked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if he is yet able to report the steps he has taken with the Danish Government to secure priority of settlement of debts due to us as the largest buyers of Danish productions?
§ Mr. COLVILLEI have reason to believe that the Danish Government fully recognise the strength of the claim to which my hon. Friend refers, and which His Majesty's Minister is constantly pressing on their attention, and that no priority is being given to any other claimant.