§ 71. Mr. Sharpasked the President of the Board of Trade how much British worsted cloth has been shipped this year to Antwerp, under a soft currency licence, for later shipment to the U.S.A.; and what action he proposes taking to ensure that such cloth is shipped direct to the U.S.A., so that hard currency may be earned at a more favourable rate of exchange.
§ Mr. H. WilsonThe export of worsted cloth is not subject to control by licence, and Belgium is in any case a hard currency market to which we wish to see our exports increased. But it is, of course, essential that these exports should be paid for in Belgian francs or in sterling held in a Belgian account; and, if my hon. Friend has any evidence of transactions not complying with these requirements, I should be glad if he would send me particulars which I would have examined immediately.