§ 20. Mr. LOFTUSasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that German importers are allowed to import and are provided with currency 1638 facilities to pay for unlimited quantities of Norwegian herring; that German merchants desiring to purchase British herring are not allowed currency to pay for them; and, in view of the fact that Germany purchased 267,000 barrels of British herring in 1933, will he consider making representations to the German Government with a view to securing equal treatment regarding currency facilities for German importers of British herring?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI am aware that Norway has concluded an exchange agreement with Germany containing provisions designed to facilitate the payment of debts due in respect of her exports to Germany of herring as well as other goods; and that there have been drastic curtailments of the foreign exchange allotments placed at the free disposal of German importers for payments in respect of herring and other goods purchased from all countries, including the United Kingdom. As regards the last part of the question, negotiations for an Anglo-German Exchange Agreement, similar to the agreements concluded between Germany and other countries are at present proceeding in Berlin.