HC Deb 13 November 1945 vol 415 cc1916-7
58. Mr. Boothby

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, having regard to the pledge already given in this House, he will give an assurance that no commitment will be made on behalf of His Majesty's Government during the present negotiations in Washington to ratify the Bretton Woods Agreement.

Mr. Dalton

It will be for Parliament to decide whether the Bretton Woods Agreement should be ratified.

Mr. Boothby

May I ask my right hon. Friend to answer the Question on the Paper? Will he further say whether the statements that have appeared in the Press that the redemption of any loans that may be granted by the United States will depend on the size of our holding in the proposed monetary fund have any foundation?

Mr. Dalton

I have already had to warn the House, with regard to these Washington talks, that not everything in the Press is to be believed. When our negotiations have reached a decisive point the House will be informed of them and there will be an opportunity for discussion and decision on the matters involved.

Mr. Stokes

Does the Chancellor recollect that in replying to a Question he gave a categorical assurance to the House that no decision would be taken until the House had been consulted, and does that answer still stand?

Mr. Dalton

This is the third time I have been asked a question about Bretton Woods, and all three answers stand; they are all consistent with one another.

Lieut.-Commander Gurney Braithwaite

In view of the immense importance of this matter to present and future generations, does not the right hon. Gentleman think that it would be wise to obtain the opinion of this new Parliament

The following are the payments which have been made by the Welsh Church Commission for staff salaries, office and administration expenses generally for the period 24th September, 1914, to 31st October, 1945, and the Commission's present annual expenditure:—
— Total from 24 September,1914, to 31 October, 1945. Present Annual Expenditure.
Establishment Charges— £ s. d. £ s. d.
Salaries … … … … … … 247,999 0 8 6,180 0 0
Travelling and subsistence allowances … … 10,178 12 6 *575 0 0
Postage, telegrams and telephone … … … 4,324 13 8 60 0 0
Law charges, etc. and incidentals … … … 53,862 15 1 1,500 0 0
Printing and stationery … … … … 5,553 17 1 25 0 0
Office Accommodation … … … … 23,526 5 10 320 0 0
345,445 4 10 8,660 0 0
Costs in connection with tithe rentals … … 16,521 19 11 —
Costs in connection with valuation of chancels … 1,479 19 8 —
Costs of surveys and reports on glebe, etc. … … 17,513 19 3 †1,700 0 0
Agents' cost of collection of tithe and rents, and allowances for postages, etc. 189,396 6 4 —
Agents' costs in connection with the preparation of returns under Section 5 of the Tithe Act, 1936. 5,594 4 10 —
£575,951 14 10 £10,360 0 0
* Includes £395 Billeting allowances.
†Chiefly fees in connection with surveys of Burial Grounds.