HC Deb 22 January 1947 vol 432 cc204-5
23. Mr. Molson

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how much of the original £10,000,000 voted as a gift to Malta, for purposes of reconstruction, has been spent; how much has been spent in the United Kingdom; how much on building materials in the United Kingdom and how much abroad.

Mr. Creech Jones

£3,749,300 has so far been spent of the £10,000,000 grant. With regard to the second and third parts of the Question, since 1944 £848,000 has been spent in the United Kingdom and £149,000 in other countries outside Malta on materials required for building work; and of these materials it is estimated that 83 per cent. has been used for reconstruction. No expenditure outside Malta other than that on building materials has been charged to the grant.

Mr. Molson

In what other countries besides the United Kingdom have building materials been obtained?

Mr. Creech Jones

In order to be exact, I should ask for notice of the question.

Mr. Molson

Yes, but I would like to have that information before the Debate on Friday.

Mr. Scollan

Would the Minister be good enough to tell us how much of this was spent on building machinery in Scotland?

Mr. Creech Jones

I would require notice of that question.