HC Deb 13 July 1954 vol 530 cc264-5
16. Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount of the last payment received from the Federal German Government in respect of occupation costs; and when it was paid.

Mr. R. A. Butler

Occupation costs are disbursed by the Federal German Government day by day, in accordance with payment authorisations issued by the Occupying Powers.

Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

Bearing in mind the heavy load of taxation already borne by our taxpayers, can the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that so long as the Occupation Statute is in force he will see that occupation costs to which this country is entitled are fully paid up, and that there will be no arrears when the statute comes to an end?

Mr. Butler

I will discuss that question with my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary.