§ 42. Sir C. Osborneasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer in view of the fact that the monthly reserve figures are incomplete and therefore misleading, if he will cease their publication and issue a six-monthly report giving the true position, including all short-term debts and the exchange of swap credit lines between Central Banks, even though these figures may be six months old.
§ Mr. Roy JenkinsNo. The outcome of the balance of payments is published quarterly in Economic Trends.
§ 43. Sir C. Osborneasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer on how many 11W occasions in the last three years have claims on the reserves been held in suspense that would otherwise have been a charge on the reserves; what amounts were involved; from what countries mainly they came; and if he will stop this practice, which tends to mislead as to the true size of the reserves.
§ Mr. Roy JenkinsThe answer to the first Question is, none. The other Questions do not arise.
§ Sir C. Osborneasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects the £540 million adverse balance of payments for 1967 to be eliminated, and whether he is still planning to add an extra £500 million to the reserves each year.
§ Mr. Roy JenkinsI would refer the hon. Member to the Answers which I gave him on 14th May.—[Vol. 764, c. 1020–1.]