Mr. De la Bère:

asked the Chancellor of the exchequer what is the cost to this country in dollars of the shipments of 590,000 tons of U.S. coal by U.N.R.R.A. for Italy; the total shipments of U.S. coal to various countries under U.N.R.R.A. for 1946; and the cost to Great Britain in dollars of such shipments.

None of these shipments cost us any dollars.

Mr. De le Bère:

asked the Chancellor of the exchequer whether, in view of the fact that Britain is unable to purchase from the U.S.A. more than 50 per cent. of the shipping which is urgently required, he will approach the Govern of the U.S.A. with a view to reducing this country's dollar contributions to relief schemes for other countries until the vital needs of this country are met.

The Government of the U.S.A. are fully aware that the British taxpayer has not made, and cannot be expected to make, dollar contributions to relief schemes, in excess of our present commitments for the benefit of the German and Austrian zones of occupation.

Mr. De le Bère:

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell the House how he proposes to purchase the necessary shipping from the United States, in view of the shortage of dollars?

I have explained that we do not have dollar commitments in regard to any relief schemes, except for Germans and Austrians in our zones.

Mr. De le Bère:

I think the right hon. Gentleman has misunderstood me. I am asking him how he proposes to purchase the ships—not about paying out money to other countries. How does he propose to finance the purchase?

I think the lion, Gentleman has not understood my answer, but I tried to make it clear that, in regard to any of these obligations, whether for goods or ships, we have no dollar commitments.