HC Deb 20 February 1946 vol 419 cc1123-4
5. Flight-Lieutenant Haire

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the.demand in south- -east Europe for British films, plays, books, music, etc., and of the present unstable currencies in this area, he will consider negotiating a scheme of deferred payments and royalties.

Mr. Bevin

The British Council is shortly despatching£5,000 worth of British books for sale in Hungary and probably a similar amount for sale in Yugoslavia; arrangements have been made for payment to be accepted in local currency. The present scheme also covers Poland, Austria, Czechoslovakia and Italy. The Greek Government have already made an allocation of sterling for the import of British books.

Flight-Lieutenant Haire

As my right hon. Friend will be aware of the inflation in these countries, will he do what he can to allow deferred payments until there is a stable currency?

Mr. Bevin

In the inflationary countries, I have taken the risk to accept it in any of the local currencies.

Mr. E. P. Smith

Will the right hon. Gentleman stir himself to do something somewhere before Autumn?

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