§ 41 and 42. Mr. LENNOX-BOYDasked the President of the Board of Trade, (1) the figure of indebtedness of Spain to this country on the date of the suspension of the clearing agreement;
(2) whether he is able to make any statement on the indebtedness of Spain 1015 to this country under the suspended clearing agreement and the removal of goods and securities from Madrid
§ Captain WALLACEThe Anglo-Spanish Payments Agreement has not been suspended but, as announced in the Press on 13th August by the Controller of the Anglo-Spanish Clearing Office, payments made to the Clearing Office are not being notified to the Spanish authorities for the time being. The sterling received by the Clearing Office is being held in reserve until the position has become clearer. The amount of indebtedness awaiting transfer to this country through the Clearing Office at present is approximately £4,500,000. As regards the removal of goods and securities from Madrid, I have no precise information.
§ Sir ARTHUR MICHAEL SAMUELIs my hon. and gallant Friend aware that there is another and cognate grievance in that British importers of Spanish fruit have paid for goods in advance and that now the Spanish authorities will not allow the British importers to receive these goods without paying for them once again?
§ Mr. DODDCan my hon. and gallant Friend say how much there is standing to the credit of British traders at the present time which has not yet been transferred?
§ Captain WALLACEI prefer not to answer either of those questions without notice.