Oral Answers to Questions — British Army. – in the House of Commons at on 12 December 1939.
Mr Robert Boothby
, Aberdeenshire and Kincardineshire Eastern
asked the Chancellor of the exchequer whether he will give an assurance that claims which have been established against the Czech assets now blocked in this country will be met without further delay; and that any necessary legislation will be carried through before the Christmas Recess?
Mr John Simon
, Spen Valley
After full consideration His Majesty's Government have decided that, subject to Parliamentary approval, the right course in present circumstances will be for the unexpended balance of the free gift to be paid over as and when required to the trustees of the Czech Refugee Trust Fund and for the unexpended balance of the advance to be used for the payment of coupons of the Czecho-Slovak External Debt and for payments in respect of cash claims. A detailed scheme will be prepared and legislation will be introduced as soon as may be after the House reassembles.
Mr Robert Boothby
, Aberdeenshire and Kincardineshire Eastern
Will it be possible for my right hon. Friend to have the legislation printed so that we can have it before we rise for the Recess?
Mr John Simon
, Spen Valley
I will consider that. I have seen a draft, but I am not sure whether it is in final shape.
Mr Irving Albery
, Gravesend
Under this arrangement what will be the position of the 4½ per cent. Austrian internationally guaranteed loan as regards the Czech portion of the guarantee?
Mr John Simon
, Spen Valley
The service of the Austrian Guaranteed Conversion Loan was guaranteed as to 24½ per cent. by the Czecho-Slovak Government, and the position of coupons on bonds of this loan which have been certified as owned by British holders will be taken into account.
The chancellor of the exchequer is the government's chief financial minister and as such is responsible for raising government revenue through taxation or borrowing and for controlling overall government spending.
The chancellor's plans for the economy are delivered to the House of Commons every year in the Budget speech.
The chancellor is the most senior figure at the Treasury, even though the prime minister holds an additional title of 'First Lord of the Treasury'. He normally resides at Number 11 Downing Street.
