HC Deb 29 April 1947 vol 436 cc1724-5
61. Mr. Geoffrey Cooper

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the illicit trading and currency dealings by British Forces, written off in the Army Appropriation Account, amounting to £58,000,000 for 1945 and 1946, and the currency manipulation as recently disclosed in the courts, involve this country in making exports to redeem this loss of money without receiving in exchange any tangible imports of advantage to this country.

Mr. Glenvil Hall

The recent currency manipulations by placing sterling at the disposal of non-residents certainly had this effect. As to the £58 million, perhaps my hon. Friend will await the findings of the Public Accounts Committee.

Mr. Cooper

Would the right hon. Gentleman be willing to give the utmost publicity to the fact that these irregular transactions have to be redeemed by the sweat and toil of the workers of this country, so as to discourage any similar transactions in future?

Mr. Glenvil Hall

Yes, Sir. I think the more the fact is known the better it will be.