§ 55. Sir W. Smithersasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what extent His Majesty's Government are free to spend the £331,000,000 of Marshall aid; to what extent that expenditure is already decided by the terms of the aid; and the amounts of both these categories.
§ Mr. JayThe distribution of Marshall aid, both as between countries and as between commodities, will be determined by the Economic Co-operation Administrator. The figures recently published in the Press were drawn from documents submitted by the United States Administration to the Congress illustrating the possible effect of the legislation proposed, and were specifically described as tentative and illustrative and not binding upon the Economic Co-operation Administrator.
§ Sir W. SmithersIn view of the fact that the Government squandered the American Loan—
§ Mr. Skeffington-LodgeNonsense.
§ Sir W. Smithers—can the Minister assure us that Marshall aid will only be used for essential and absolutely vital purposes? Is he also aware that I will do all in my power to try to get conditions imposed in America to prevent Marshall aid going down the Socialist drain?
§ Mr. SpeakerColonel Crosthwaite-Eyre.
§ Sir W. SmithersOn a point of Order; in view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I will raise the matter on the Adjournment.