§ 48. Colonel Crosthwaite-Eyreasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to state the decline in the gold and dollar reserves that occurred between October, 1951, and June, 1952; and to what extent such a decline was due to commitments incurred before October, 1951.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerThe gold and dollar reserves fell by $1,268 million between 31st October, 1951, and 30th June, 1952. $176 million was drawn in this period to meet service of Government loans previously received. It is impossible to estimate how much of the fall was due to other commitments.
§ 49. Colonel Crosthwaite-Eyreasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total by which the gold and dollar reserves of this country were reduced in the period 1945 to 1951 as a result of debts incurred in the late war.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerPayments from the reserves on Government debt amounted to $9 million.