HC Deb 28 June 1956 vol 555 c59W
57. Mr. Osborne

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the estimated loss to the United Kingdom during the 1939–45 war in shipping tons and value, foreign investments and debts, and in railways, docks, harbours, factories and other buildings and installations; and how much of this loss he estimates still remains to be made good.

Sir E. Boyle

The best estimates available of the loss of wealth to the United Kingdom during the 1939–45 war are those contained in "Statistical Material presented during the Washington Negotiations" [Cmd. 6707 published in December, 1945]. The loss of national wealth is estimated in this paper to be of the order of £7,300 millions. It is impossible to say what proportion of the specific assets affected by the war has not yet been repaired or replaced.