HC Deb 03 May 1937 vol 323 cc787-8
58. Major Dorman-Smith

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total amount of British capital now invested in countries oversea, and the amount of such capital invested in Canada, including Newfoundland, Australia and New Zealand, the Union of South Africa, and Argentina?

Dr. Burgin

As the answer is rather long and contains a number of figures, I will, with my hon. and gallant Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the reply:

No official estimates of British investments overseas are available. But according to a tentative estimate based on careful but not yet fully completed research, which I have obtained through the courtesy of Sir Robert Kindersley, the total amount of British oversea investments is about £3,800,000,000, the amount of British-owned securities and private investments in Canada and Newfoundland, being £520, 000,000, Australia £540,000,000, New Zealand £140,000,000, the Union of South Africa £280,000,000 and the Argentine £440,000,000.