HC Deb 20 February 1940 vol 357 c1144
51. Mr. Liddall

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will, in order to save exchange, tender as payment by the British Government for purchases of Brazilian raw materials, a suitable amount of Brazilian Government and municipal bonds valued, for the purpose, at the net prices received for them in cash by Brazil when issued on the London market?

Sir J. Simon

No, Sir. I am afraid that there is no prospect of such an offer being accepted.

Mr. Liddall

Will the Chancellor of the Exchequer give his reasons for coming to that conclusion?

Sir J. Simon

As I understand the hon. Member, his idea is to offer at net issue price, about par, bonds which are now in default and which stand at an extremely low level. I doubt whether that would be accepted.