HC Deb 10 December 1946 vol 431 cc978-9
62. Colonel Crosthwaite-Eyre

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total balances of hard and soft currencies, respectively, earned by this country through exports in the first 10 months of 1945 and 1946, respectively.

Mr. Dalton

With permission, I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT figures of our estimated receipts from exports to certain groups of countries in the first six months of 1945 and 1946. Figures for the third quarter are not yet available.

Mr. Gallacher

When the right hon. Gentleman is circulating the details in the OFFICIAL REPORT, would he consider circulating to Members a sample of the hard and soft currencies?

Following are the figures:

ESTIMATED RECEIPTS FROM EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM.
Country 1st half 1945. 1st half, 1946.
(£ millions) (£ millions)
U.S.A. 18 22
Canada 11 14
Central and South America. 8 17
Sweden, Switzerland, Portugal. 3 17
Sterling area 93 192
Rest of world 35 97
Total* 168 359
* Excludes exports and re-exports to Germany or on account of U.N.R.R.A.; excludes exports of equipment, etc., from U.K. to British companies operating abroad: includes diamonds