§ 32. Mr. CRAVEN-ELLISasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he anticipates the report of the committee appointed to advise him regarding the restrictions on foreign borrowing in Britain; and will he give the House an opportunity of considering the report before any change in Treasury policy is made?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINAs stated in the reply given to my right hon. Friend the Member for Ripon (Major Hills) on 7th April, I have not at present in mind any radical alteration of the restrictions on foreign issues. I presume my hon. Friend understands that the Advisory Committee is a standing committee. It was appointed to advise me upon particular applications and, as occasion arises, upon the scope of the restrictions. I have not as yet received any report from the committee on the latter point, and I cannot of course forecast when any such report is likely to be received.
§ Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCEWhen this committee was originally appointed were not two of the gentlemen appointed directors of Vickers, and does the right hon. Gentleman think it desirable that directors of an armament firm should be appointed to such a committee?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI do not think that their connection with Vickers has any bearing on their aptitude to serve on a committee of this kind.