HC Deb 04 July 1950 vol 477 c250
59. Mr. Russell

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in view of the increase in the value of United Kingdom exports to Canada in the first four months of this year compared with the corresponding periods of 1949 and 1948, he will increase the amount of dollars available for United Kingdom imports from Canada.

Sir S. Cripps

Final decisions on the level of our imports from the dollar area in the next 12 months have not yet been taken, but we have to plan to meet our essential needs in the light of our dollar position as a whole. It will remain the Government's policy to obtain as much of our requirements from Canada as we can afford to pay for in dollars.

Mr. Russell

Does not the Chancellor think it would be advisable to give the Canadian people some tangible evidence that we are willing to make it worth their while to continue to buy our exports at the rate at which they have been buying them?

Sir S. Cripps

I am in very close touch with the Canadian Government in this matter, and I do not think the hon. Member need worry.