§ 56. Mr. Boothbyasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that claims against the Czech assets blocked in this country were lodged, by request of the Bank of England, as long ago as 30th April last, and that the coupons on certain Czech bonds which were due on 1st October have not been paid; and whether, in view of the hardship to individuals involved and the fact that it is undesirable to keep a sum of money amounting in the aggregate to over £16,000,000 immobilised at the present time, he will submit the promised scheme for dealing with these assets to the House before the end of the present Session?
§ Sir J. SimonI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for North-West Hull (Sir A. Lambert Ward) on 17th October, to which I cannot at present add anything.
§ Mr. BoothbyDoes not my right hon. Friend think that nine months is rather a long period of gestation in a matter of this particular kind?
Lieut.-Colonel Sir A. Lambert WardAs the sterling value of the blocked pound has increased by about 25 per cent. during the past three months, can my right hon. Friend tell the House whether the aggregate amount of blocked assets is now sufficient to meet all the claims?
§ Sir J. SimonI should like notice of that question.