§ 16. Mr. Sorensenasked the President of the Board of Trade whether instructions will be issued respecting exporters of tinplate to Spain, so that they may know their position in relation to the disposal of sterling payments?
§ Mr. RuncimanIf the hon. Member has in mind the disposal of the sterling funds 2726 now in the hands of the Anglo-Spanish Clearing Office, I fear I can only say that this is a matter to which His Majesty's Government are giving attention, but it is impossible to make any further statement at present. If he has in mind sterling payment for current exports to Spain, exporters should make their own arrangements with the Spanish importers concerned for the provision of sterling.
§ Mr. SorensenWhile thanking the right hon. Gentleman for the answer, may I ask whether the existing Anglo-Spanish Agreement is to be suspended indefinitely?
§ Mr. RuncimanI do not regard it as in suspense. The clearing office arrangements will be carried out, I hope, in due course.