§ Mr. Yatesasked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that on the reoccupation of the Channel Islands our troops were handed gifts of French francs by the islanders, which they were ordered to deposit with the island paymaster; whether he will state the amount involved; and if it is proposed to credit the troops concerned with the value of the currency handed in.
§ Mr. LawsonI am aware that on the reoccupation of the Channel Islands our troops acquired French francs. The evidence in my possession points to their having been acquired very largely from enemy prisoners of war and not as gifts by islanders. At the time when the Bank of France withdrew their old notes, 327,400 francs were withdrawn from the troops in the Channel Islands and handed over to the French Consul together with the individuals' declaration forms. The French authorities have notified that they are not prepared to exchange the notes. It is not proposed to credit the accounts of the troops concerned with the value of the currency handed in, as exchanges through British Army channels are effected only for currencies issued as pay.