§ 32. Mr. Walter Fletcherasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the Government's desire for British salesmanship in the United States of America to extend beyond the Atlantic seaboard, he will undertake to provide the extra dollars required for British salesmen to make their efforts more widespread throughout that country.
§ Mr. JayAs my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade made clear in his speech in the House on 11th April, the Government are most willing to provide dollars for any legitimate purposes connected with the export trade to the United States. So far as business travel is concerned, the Bank of England is prepared to provide currency up to a maximum of £10 per day to all businessmen who wish to visit the United States for the purpose of promoting our exports. Moreover, where an exceptional amount of travelling is involved and the tickets cannot be paid for in sterling before departure, the Bank will be prepared to make an extra allocation of currency to meet travelling expenses. I am not aware that the efforts of businessmen are hampered in any way through lack of dollars for business visits, but, if there is any evidence to the contrary, I will gladly look into the matter.