HC Deb 21 September 1948 vol 456 cc697-8
52. Mr. Piratin

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much of Palestine's sterling assets, which were blocked on 22nd February, were released between that date and 14th May, and from 15th May to date; and in the case of the latter sum, to which authority was it released.

Mr. Jay

£14.3 million up to 14th May, and since that date, £150,000 to banks in the Jewish area which had not taken up the full amounts to which they were entitled, £400,000 for the feeding of Arabs in Arab Palestine and Transjordan, and £100,000 for food the allocation of which is not known.

Mr. Piratin

Can the Economic Secretary say whether the provisional Government in Israel has asked for more than the £100,000 to which he has referred?

Mr. Jay

No, I could not say. These releases, of course, are being made to banks and not to any other authority.