HC Deb 20 April 1943 vol 388 cc1537-8
53. Captain Gammans

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total value of war supplies received from the United States of America since the outbreak of the war; the amount paid for by the liquidation of British assets in America and by British funds generally; and the value of reverse Lend-Lease supplied by Great Britain to the United States of America?

The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Sir Kingsley Wood)

No monetary record is kept by us of the monetary value of war supplies received from the United States of America as Lend-Lease aid, nor of reverse Lend-Lease supplied by us to the United States. As regards supplies for which we have made payment, as I stated in the Budget speech on 12th April, this country has actually spent some £1,500,000,000 in the United States since the outbreak of war on supplies, munitions, and the provision of capital equipment for the prosecution of the war.

Captain Gammans

Why is it that we can quote figures of the goods supplied to Russia, but apparently cannot quote the figures of goods supplied under reverse Lend-Lease to the United States?

Sir K. Wood

I stated in my Budget speech that the figure was only a rough approximation of the amount concerned.

Sir Granville Gibson

Who will be the owners of this capital equipment which is being provided?

Sir K. Wood

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will put that Question on the Order Paper.

Captain Cunningham-Reid

Does the right hon. Gentleman anticipate that the comparatively unknown but very interesting facts he has just given, and which he gave only a few days ago, will be broadcast in the United States of America?

Sir K. Wood

I believe there have been extensive reports there.