HC Deb 28 July 1949 vol 467 c2657
58. Mr. Marples

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much sterling as at 30th June, 1949, did we owe to each of our creditor countries.

The Economic Secretary to the Treasury (Mr. Douglas Jay)

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on 21st September last to the hon. and gallant Gentleman the Member for New Forest and Christchurch (Colonel Crosthwaite-Eyre).

Mr. Marples

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that that answer was a most unsatisfactory one, and if he cannot give figures for individual countries, will he give the figures for the main area?

Mr. Jay

We already give the figures for the totals in the Balance of Payments White Paper every six months.

Viscount Hinchingbrooke

Are the Government considering proposals which have been made in some quarters that, with safeguards to ourselves in the administration of the dollars arising, these credits might be negotiated with the United States?

Mr. Jay

That is quite a different question.