§ Mr. W. GRAHAMasked the President of the Board of Trade whether it is intended under Article 296 of the Treaty of Peace that payment of enemy debts to traders in this country at the pre-war rate of exchange is subject to notice being given to Germany by Great Britain of the latter's intention to apply this Clause; whether any pressure has been brought to bear upon the Government by importers in this country to have this part of the Treaty rendered of no effect, in order that they may make extra profit by discharging their obligations in a depreciated currency; whether he has received representations from exporters in this country that they consider a pre-war rate of exchange as the only fair arrangement for all parties; and whether he is prepared to take, steps to protect the interests of British exporters in this matter?
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§ Mr. BRIDGEMANThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I am not aware of any pressure by importers of the kind referred to in the second part, but my right hon. Friend has seen representations from exporters to the effect mentioned in the third part. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which the Chancellor of the Exchequer gave- to the Member for Chelsea on 24th July.