§ 58. Mr. Boothbyasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what provisions of the Anglo-Argentine Economic Agreement the U.S. Government have objected and on what grounds.
§ 59. Mr. Hollisasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations have been received from the U.S. Government concerning the clause in the Anglo-Argentinian Agreement empowering the Argentinian Government to dispose of sterling balances within the sterling area if the balance of payments within the sterling area should in any year be unfavourable to the Argentine; and on what date the first oral representations from the U.S. Government were received on this subject.
§ Mr. DaltonI have received no representations on this subject, but I am, of course, always ready to discuss with our American friends any matters of common interest.
§ Mr. BoothbyDoes the Chancellor still maintain that no understanding was reached between this country and the United States as to how we were to deal with our sterling obligations?
§ Mr. DaltonYes, Sir. I am quite tired of telling the hon. Member and the House that.
§ Mr. HollisIn view of the statement made by the American Secretary of State, that there were some American officials who thought parts of the agreement might be in conflict with the British Loan Agreement, is the Chancellor prepared to tell the House what were the points upon which these American officials expressed that opinion?
§ Mr. DaltonIn this country, and I think also in the United States, it is not officials but Ministers who govern. What Mr. Byrnes, the Secretary of State, said at 1215 his Press conference—and I am obliged for the opportunity of giving the quotation—was:
The United States has followed the negotiations with interest"—that is the Anglo-Argentine negotiations—and there were some American officials who thought that parts of the Agreement might be in conflict with the British Loan Agreement. They were not, however, regarded as serious.
§ Mr. H. StraussDoes that mean the officials?