§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
How much the United Kingdom owes to the government of the United States as a result of the First World War and the Second World War respectively; when the most recent payments were made; and what are the arrangements for repayment. [HL647]
§ Lord McIntosh of HaringeyOn First World War debt due to the United States Government, I refer the noble Lord to the Answers I gave to him on 17 July 2002(col.WA 159 ), 30 July 2002 (col.WA 161 ) 25 October 2002 (col.WA 103–4 ) and 11 July 2003 (col.WA 66 ). On Second World War debt due to the United States Government, I refer the noble Lord to the Answer I gave to him on 27 May 2002 (col.WA 127 ), January 2003 (col.WA 73 ) and 11 July 2003(col.WA 66 ).
As at 1 January 2005 principal of 84 million dollars (£43.5 million at the exchange rate on that day) was outstanding on the loans provided by the United States Government in 1945. The most recent repayments were made on 31 December 2004. There 111WA remain two more scheduled repayments of interest and principal sums of 142 million dollars in December 2005 million and 83 million dollars in December 2006 that relate to previously deferred interest and principal payments.