§ 38. Mr. SUTCLIFFEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that existing frozen Leva balances belonging to British firms in the National Bank of Bulgaria amount to nearly 2200,000; and whether he anticipates that any arrangements will be made in the near future to free these balances?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI am aware that considerable sums have accumulated in the Bulgarian National Bank to the credit of British firms, and I am informed that these balances are being slowly liquidated. The matter is being carefully watched, and no opportunity will be lost of affording to United Kingdom traders such assistance as may be possible.
§ 39. Mr. SUTCLIFFEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the difficulties of British merchants trading with Bulgaria, owing to the uncertainty regarding the amount of import quotas which are to be received and to the delay in getting these quotas allotted and confirmed; and whether he will take steps to bring this matter to the notice of the Bulgarian Government with a view to an early remedy?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANYes, Sir, the matter is under consideration.
§ Mr. SUTCLIFFEWill my right hon. Friend consider making representations that in future the quotas should be allotted on a yearly basis instead of quarterly, and allotted to exporters rather than to consignees?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI shall certainly consider that point.