HC Deb 16 November 1950 vol 480 cc1894-5
65. Mr. Osborne

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by how much the sterling area imports from North America have been reduced in the last six months; and what has been the sterling area's dollar surplus in the same period.

The Economic Secretary to the Treasury (Mr. John Edwards)

I would refer the hon. Member to the Board of Trade's Report on Overseas Trade and to Tables 10 and 11 of Cmd. 8065.

Mr. Osborne

Will the figures show that the imports from the dollar area have been lower than the increase in our dollar reserves so that the figure recently given to the country was false and gave a wrong impression to the nation as to sterling-dollar position?

Mr. Edwards

No, Sir. The answer merely means that I told the hon. Gentleman where to look for the information.