§ Sir Ian Orr-Ewingasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much of the £558 million currently held on deposit in respect of the import levy has been provided by overseas suppliers in foreign exchange; and whether these suppliers are free to repatriate this money as it is released by Her Majesty's Government.
§ Mr. TaverneImport deposits provided from overseas in foreign exchange (that is, from the non-sterling area) amount to over £25 million. Once the deposits are released, they can be repatriated.