§ 10. Mr. Shepherdasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total amounts which have been expended by the United Kingdom since the end of the war on defence purposes overseas, loans and assistance to other nations, redemption of sterling balances, and investment overseas, respectively; and the total amount received in loans and assistance by this country over a comparable period.
§ Mr. MaudlingThe cost of defence in terms of direct United Kingdom military expenditure overseas was £1,158 million between 1st January, 1946, and 31st December, 1952. In the same period the total of United Kingdom sterling liabilities to overseas countries was reduced by £266 million. Post-war assistance by Her Majesty's Government in the form of loans and grants to overseas countries, including United Kingdom Colonies, and to international organisations, amounted at 31st December, 1952, to £1,504 million, and the corresponding assistance received by Her Majesty's Government to £2,556 million. It is not possible to estimate with precision the amount of overseas investment undertaken.
§ Mr. ShepherdCan my hon. Friend reconcile the statement made by many people during the past five years that this country has not paid its way?
§ Mr. MaudlingThough many responsibilities devolve upon the Treasury they do not include the reconciling of statements made by anonymous individuals.