§ 64. Mr. Shinwellasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any approach has been made to the French Government in order to faciliate the conclusion of a currency agreement, which will enable that country to enter the sterling area.
§ Sir J. AndersonNo, Sir.
§ Mr. ShinwellIf not, why not? Is it not of the utmost importance that we should seek to bring France into the sterling area? Is it not, indeed, to our ultimate and financial advantage? Why has not such an approach been made?
§ Sir J. AndersonMy hon. Friend is very severe, but I think he is under a misapprehension. Negotiations for a financial agreement which will, I think, be to our mutual advantage are in progress, but that is a very different matter from enlarging the sterling area to include other countries; there are technical points arising in that connection.
§ Mr. ShinwellI am obliged to my right hon. Friend. That is quite a different answer. If negotiations are proceeding with a view to the creation of some financial understanding, I am gratified, as it may ultimately include some arrangement for the sterling area.
§ Sir J. AndersonOf course it would include some arrangement about the sterling area, but not the arrangement indicated in my hon. Friend's Question.
§ Mr. ShinwellBut will my right hon. Friend get his officials to answer Questions in a proper fashion?
§ Sir J. AndersonI answered the Question.
Mr. E. P. SmithCan my right hon. Friend say whether this tentative agreement will cover the question of double taxation?
§ Sir J. AndersonNo, Sir, that is a separate question.