§ 57. Colonel Crosthwaite-Eyreasked the Chancellor the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the proposed scheme for Inter-European Payments.
§ Sir S. CrippsNo, Sir. I cannot make a statement until these matters have been considered next month by the Council of the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation.
§ Colonel Crosthwaite-EyreAs the Chancellor claimed that this proposed agreement was a success for His Majesty's Government, and as he is waiting until after it is ratified next month so that there will be no opportunity for this House to discuss it before it becomes operative, can he say why the Government are so "cagey" in giving details of this so-called victory?
§ Sir S. CrippsI did not make the statement which the hon. and gallant Gentleman suggests. We hope it will be finalised about 6th July, and subsequently no doubt it will be ratified by different countries.
§ Colonel Crosthwaite-EyreIf the Chancellor looks at the speech he made last night he will see that he claims that this agreement was a "success." That was the actual word he used. If it is a success why will he not give details to the House?