§ Mr. LEES-JONESasked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent the Government of Rumania and the National Bank of Rumania have carried out the obligations imposed upon them by Article 2 of the Anglo-Rumanian Payments Agreement of 3rd August, 1935; and, in the negotiations for a new agreement to replace the Anglo-Rumanian Payments Agreement, will the Government be prepared to use the machinery provided by the Debts Clearing Offices Act of 1934?
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§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe sum of £100,000 was paid on the due date and £42,500 has also been paid out of the sum of £270,000 due on 1st November in respect of shipments of grain. Information has been received from the Rumanian Government that the balance of this sum will be paid against shipments of grain from Rumania which are now being made. Monthly payments amounting to about £42,000 have been received under Article 5 of the Agreement. With regard to the last part of the question, I cannot at the moment anticipate the course of the forthcoming negotiations.