HC Deb 13 April 1943 vol 388 cc1054-6
56. Mr. Loftus

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will endeavour to arrange for the issue, as a White Paper, of the proposals of the Treasury of the United States of America for international exchange regulation after the war or, alternatively, for a copy to be placed in the Library in order that hon. Members may have an opportunity of comparing these proposals with those set out in Command Paper 6437?

58. Sir Alfred Beit

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give an assurance that the Report of the Treasury on Post-War International Monetary Policy is not being put forward as a rival to a scheme with similar objectives published by the Treasury of the United States of America; and whether he will make arrangements for the American proposal to be made available to hon. Members?

Sir K. Wood

Of course I give the assurance for which my hon. Friend the Member for South-East St. Pancras (Sir A. Beit) asks. As the White Paper states, it is hoped that these proposals will afford a basis for discussion, together with similar plans, having similar objectives, which may be prepared by experts of other Governments. The proposal which has been produced by the United States Treasury is one of the plans with similar objectives to which this statement refers. In regard to the last part of the Question, through the courtesy of the United States Government I am arranging for copies of the plan to be made available to hon. Members very shortly.

Sir A. Beit

Will my right hon. Friend make representations to the effect that no debate be held on this subject until there has been ample opportunity to study the American plan in greater detail than has yet been possible?

Sir K. Wood

Yes, Sir.

Sir H. Williams

Will my right hon. Friend consider the possibility of having his own White Paper rewritten, as it is so ambiguous?

Sir K. Wood

Perhaps my hon. Friend will give me some assistance.

Sir H. Williams

I shall be delighted. I would have been ashamed to have written such a document as this White Paper.

Mr. De la Bère

Is my hon. Friend not aware that it was never intended that the White Paper should be anything but ambiguous?