§ 49. Colonel Crosthwaite-Eyreasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the 1053 recent decision of the Belgian Government that Belgian exports to certain countries outside the sterling area can be paid for in sterling will, under the terms of the Anglo-Belgian Payments Agreement, entail any loss of gold to this country.
§ Sir S. CrippsOur present arrangements with Belgium provide for a limited amount of sterling transfers from third countries. These transfers do, of course, add to the amount of the deficit which has to be settled in gold. The arrangements expire on 30th June next.
§ Colonel Crosthwaite-EyreCan the Chancellor of the Exchequer say whether in all cases this sterling comes from current accounts and not through releases from blocked sterling balances.
§ Sir S. CrippsIt all comes from current trade.