§ 35. Mr. George Griffithsasked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he has any information to show the amount of outstanding debts due from the Burgos authorities to British industrialists in this country?
§ Mr. R. S. HudsonUnder the import and exchange permit system in operation in Nationalist territory, foreign currency in respect of imports from this country has in general been punctually transferred and, apart from some debts which arose owing to the confusion at the beginning of the civil war, I am not aware of outstanding debts in this category of any great importance. I am unable, however, to estimate at present the sums accumulated in Nationalist Spain by British enterprises and awaiting transfer, or the sums that may become due in respect of compensation for damage. There are, however, large sums outstanding in respect of trade and other debts from before the civil war. This question and the whole 1356 question of payment of claims against the Spanish authorities will be taken up in due course by His Majesty's Government.
§ Mr. GriffithsI received a letter this morning from the right hon. Gentleman's Department before I left Yorkshire asking me to postpone this question, which was going to the President of the Board of Trade, but I should like to thank the right hon. Gentleman for the answer.