§ Sir Frederic Bennettasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of the total indebtedness of COMECON to major Western countries that has accrued since February 1974 applies to the United Kingdom; and what is the figure involved quoted in United States terms.
§ Mr. Robert SheldonApproximately 22 per cent.—$5½ billion—of the increase of about $25 billion in total COMECON debt which was referred to in my reply to the hon. Gentleman's Question on 10th March 1977—[Vol. 927, c. 643–4]—is estimated to be due to the claims of creditors situated in the United Kingdom, including branches of overseas banks.