§ Major Legge-Bourkeasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the values of the overseas investments of the United Kingdom in 1913, 1919, 1924, 1927, 1932, 1938, 1946, and at the latest convenient date, respectively; and what has happened to those securities taken over by the Government during the Second World War which were not actually sold.
§ Mr. H. MacmillanI regret no figures are available which show the complete value of all United Kingdom investments abroad at market prices. Estimates have however been made from time to time of 83W the nominal capital value of United Kingdom overseas investments known to the London Stock Exchange.
End of Year £ million 1913 … … approximately 4,000 1920 … … between 3,200 and 3,700 1929 … … 3,738 1932 … … 3,641 1938 … … 3,545 1946 … … 2,329 1953 … … 2,013 No estimates are available for 1919, 1924, or 1927; instead, estimates for 1920 and 1929, which are the nearest years available, are given.
With regard to the second part of the Question, as was stated by my predecessor on 3rd February, 1955, these securities have been retained in the ownership of Her Majesty's Government except for various minor changes at various times. This is still the position.