Oral Answers to Questions — National Finance – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 24 April 1947.
Sir Waldron Smithers
, Orpington
12:00,
24 April 1947
asked the Chancellor of the exchequer what approaches have been made by the Egyptian Government for the disposal of the Suez Canal shares held by His Majesty's Government; and if he will give an assurance that these shares will not be disposed of without the prior approval of this House.
Mr Hugh Dalton
, Bishop Auckland
None, Sir. The second part of the Question does not therefore arise.
Sir Waldron Smithers
, Orpington
Will the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that none of these shares has been offered to the Russian Government?
Mr Hugh Dalton
, Bishop Auckland
None of the shares owned by His Majesty's Government has been offered to any other person or Government.
Sir Waldron Smithers
, Orpington
Will they be?
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.
