§ 50. Mr. Hewlettasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what amounts have so far been lent by this country to any of our Allies or to the resistance movements in any country, respectively, since the start of the war.
§ Sir J. AndersonThe total advanced by His Majesty's Government to our Allies since the war started, and outstanding as at 31st December, 1944, is £307,694,000. Under the terms of the Mutual Aid Agreements which were concluded with some of our Allies during 1944, the cash charge in respect of military equipment and stores which had already been supplied on credit terms will be cancelled as soon as the necessary detailed figures have been obtained and agreed with the Allied Governments concerned. Thus the figure which I have given will eventually be considerably reduced.
The hon. Member will recollect that an estimate of Mutual Aid to our Allies (as opposed to cash advances) was given on page 7 of the Second Report on Mutual Aid (Cmd. Paper 6570). As stated in paragraph 18 of that White Paper, mutual aid was sent to resistance movements in many parts of Europe. No cash advances were made to resistance movements otherwise than through the Allied Government concerned.
§ Mr. ShinwellHave any of the foreign monarchs in this country, whether King Peter or King George, received any financial assistance from His Majesty's Government?
§ Sir J. AndersonAny question on that subject should be put on the Paper.