§ 40. Mr. E. Johnsonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total cost to the Exchequer of loans, grants and gifts of money made to countries outside the British Commonwealth and to international organisations, respectively, during the financial year 1955–56; and what proposals have been made involving a continuance of this type of expenditure during the current financial year.
§ The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr. Harold Macmillan)As the Answer consists of a table of figures, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it with the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. JohnsonIs my right hon. Friend aware that the answer to my Question requires only two figures? Would he not agree that it would be much better to conserve our resources for our own use and for the development of the Commonwealth instead of handing out largesse to other countries from which we get no thanks and few advantages?
§ Mr. MacmillanPerhaps my hon. Friend will look at the figures in the reply, when perhaps we could have a discussion or he might wish to put down further Questions.
§ Following is the answer:
| — | 1955-56 | Provision in Estimates for 1956–57 |
| £ | £ | |
| (a) Loans and grants to countries outside the British Commonwealth | 37,327,189 | 17,415,510 |
| (b) Subscriptions to the budgets of international organisations | 5,656,088 | 6,791,503 |
| (c) Grants to bodies rendering international assistance | 3,594,328 | 3,304,000 |