§ 16. Mr. Douglas Marshallasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why in the bizonal area in Germany the Joint Export/Import Agency has imposed a ban on the signature of further contracts for 760 exports where payment is in sterling; and what representations he has made in this matter to the Government of the United States.
Mr. McNeilThe American authorities in Germany have instructed their representatives on the Joint Export Import Agency not to approve further export contracts involving payment in sterling. Since all contracts requiring the approval of the head office of the Joint Export Import Agency must be countersigned by both the American and the British members of that body a certain number of important contracts cannot at present be proceeded with. This subject has been taken up both with the United States authorities in Germany and in the course of the fusion negotiations now proceeding in Washington. The difficulty will, no doubt, be removed as soon as these negotiations are completed.