§ LORD BARNBYasked Her Majesty's Government if, in view of the encouragement which has been given to development of commercial relations with Turkey and the current difficulties of traders in securing payment of accounts, many long outstanding, and the understanding that long-term dollar assistance is under negotiation, consideration is being given to a sterling loan.
§ THE PAYMASTER GENERAL (THE EARL OF SELKIRK)Her Majesty's Government are seriously concerned about the prolonged delay on the part of the Turkish authorities in authorising the release of exchange in respect of payments due on exports which have been made to Turkey. This concern is shared by the Governments of other Western European countries whose exporters are suffering from similar delays in receiving payments. In these circumstances representatives of the Governments of member countries of the O.E.E.C. are considering, in consultation with the Turkish Delegation, the best means by which the Turkish Government can make a settlement of their commercial debts, as an essential step towards strengthening their trade and payments position.
Her Majesty's Government consider that this multilateral approach through O.E.E.C.—in co-operation, it is hoped, with other international institutions—offers the best hope of a constructive solution. They are not considering a sterling loan to Turkey.
House adjourned at twenty minutes past eleven o'clock.