HC Deb 03 February 1938 vol 331 cc372-3
47. Mr. De la Bère

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government would be prepared to consider the setting up of an Anglo-American committee with a view to discovering to what extent Great Britain and the United States could agree upon the War Debt problem; whether those two countries could make a joint declaration of their conception of liberty; and in what directions they should cooperate for the upholding of democratic principles?

The Prime Minister

I have no reason to suppose that the setting up of a committee such as is proposed by my hon. Friend would be welcome to the Government of the United States of America, nor do I see that it would be likely to serve any useful purpose.

Mr. De la Bère

Is the Prime Minister aware that, in the years 1919–29, £4,000,000,000 was lent by the United States and Great Britain to foreign Powers? Was not that detrimental to agriculture in both countries? Why are we continuing to lend money abroad?