HL Deb 01 April 1982 vol 428 cc1569-70WA
Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What was the level of Soviet deposits in British banks and of Soviet indebtedness in Britain—

  1. (a) two years ago;
  2. (b) one year ago; and
  3. (c) at the latest convenient date.

Lord Cockfield

The available information is as follows:—

dollars million
End End
1979 1981 1981
Deposits 2,945 2,370 1,536 (end December)
Estimated indebtedness (gross) 3,600 4,200 4,000 (end June)
The figures incorporate all United Kingdom business of United Kingdom registered banks and certain other institutions (as used in the Bank of England Quarterly Bulletin) and credit guaranteed by the Export Credits Guarantee Department. The figures are expressed in dollars as most of the accounts are in dollar terms.