HC Deb 15 February 1944 vol 397 cc38-9W
Mr. W. J. Brown

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the average amount of British capital invested abroad for each of the 10 years 1930 to 1939.

Mr. Assheton

No accurate figures of British capital invested abroad during the years 1930 to 1939 are available. A rough indication of the amounts involved can be derived from the annual statements, compiled by the Midland Bank, of new overseas issues offered on the London market. The sums stated below were not necessarily all subscribed by British investors, nor do they cover sums invested abroad in personal adventures in private business, or realised in liquidating such adventures.

£ millions
1930 109
1931 46
1932 29
1933 38
1934 43
1935 21
1936 26
1937 32
1938 25
1939 23