HC Deb 04 November 1947 vol 443 c1531
52. Mr. William Shepherd

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the value of our overseas investments as at 1938 and the value as at 1st June, 1947, together with the amounts of interest received in 1938 and 1946.

Mr. Dalton

The nominal value was about £3,600 million in 1938. I have no reliable estimate of the value as at 1st June, 1947. Interest received was £205 million in 1938 and £150 million in 1946.

Mr. Shepherd

How does the Chancellor reconcile that answer with the fact that the detailed estimate of the present holdings was given in the Washington discussions, and why does he refuse information to the public?