HC Deb 11 July 1961 vol 644 cc185-6
11. Commander Courtney

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many Polish Government-controlled organisations operate in the United Kingdom concerned with the provision of banking, shipping and insurance services; what corresponding British offices are at present operating in Poland; and what contribution this imbalance makes towards the deterioration in the value of United Kingdom invisible exports to which he had drawn attention.

Mr. Maudling

There is no branch of any Polish bank in the United Kingdom. There is one Polish office in the United Kingdom which deals with shipping and insurance, and two British offices dealing with these services in Poland. There is no relationship between the number of organisations and the balance of pay- ments on invisible account between the two countries.

Commander Courtney

Are the organisations in Poland manned by British nationals?

Mr. Maudling

I cannot answer that without notice. I would add that on balance we have a substantial invisible surplus with Poland.

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