HC Deb 03 February 1955 vol 536 c1267
48. Mr. K. Thompson

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what instructions he gave to the representative of the Bank of England who is now in Brazil to discuss the Payments Agreement.

Mr. R. Maudling

A representative of the Bank of England, who is visiting a number of countries in South America, is at present in Rio de Janeiro. He is assisting our ambassador in technical discussions which are being held at the request of the Brazilian authorities for an exchange of views on the existing payments arrangements between the two countries.

Mr. Thompson

Are we to understand from that statement that the announce- ment made in Rio, that this representative was there to discuss the debts agreement, is not true, and can the Chancellor say whether the Bank of England representative is in fact considering any trade question while he is there?

Mr. Maudling

I have not seen the report referred to by my hon. Friend, but I am glad to make it quite clear that the debts agreement has not been discussed, and that the present discussions are concerned entirely with payments.