§ 2.40 p.m.
§ LORD TEVIOTMy Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask His Majesty's Government what progress is being made in the study of the sterling balances position which the communiqué on the recent Washington talks stated would be undertaken.]
THE MINISTER OF CIVIL AVIATION (LORD PAKENHAM)My Lords, it is expected that the joint study of this question will begin some time this month. In the meantime, the necessary preparatory work is going on here.
§ LORD TEVIOTArising out of the noble Lord's answer, for which I thank him, and in view of the fact that those concerned are wanting dollars, may I assume that the United States representatives will be taken into full consultation on this subject?
LORD PAKENHAMI am grateful to the noble Lord, but I should make it plain that the joint consultations I have referred to, which will begin this month, are consultations with the United States authorities.