HC Deb 17 April 1940 vol 359 cc972-3W
Mr. Liddall

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that British foreign investments of several thousand millions sterling have a direct connection with British export trade and the annual Exchequer revenue, he will entrust an Under-Secretary with the specific duty of securing that trade agreements concerning visible and invisible exports and/or imports shall include such terms as will put an end to the continual violation of obligations by foreign borrowers of British savings?

The Prime Minister

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to my hon. Friend the Member for West Newcastle (Sir J. Leech) on 9th April. As stated in that reply, His Majesty's Government regard this subject as one of very great importance, especially in present circumstances, and they consider that the existing arrangements afford the best and most practical means of safeguarding the interests of this country.