asked the Minister for Finance whether he will state: (1) the total dollar drawings to date from the sterling area dollar pool since October 1st, 1947; (2) dollar earnings during that period; (3) whether it is expected that dollar requirements from the sterling area dollar pool can be kept within the limit of £14,000,000 for the period October 1st, 1947, to June 30th, 1948; (4) the purposes for which dollars have been allocated since October 1st, 1947, and (5) an estimate of dollar requirements for various purposes to June 30th, 1948.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dollar Requirements.
Expenditure in the United States dollar area for the period from October 1st, 1947, to January 31st, 1948, amounted to £7,000,000. Receipts, which reach a high level during the Christmas season, amounted to £2.9 million. It is not anticipated that the agreed limit for net dollar expenditure will be exceeded during the period to which the Deputy refers. Dollars are being allowed for all necessary purposes and there would appear to be no reason at present to modify the estimate in respect of dollar requirements for all purposes during the nine months ending June 30th, 1948, of £14,000,000 net, to be reduced to £12,000,000 net if supplies of wheat are available without dollar expenditure.
Is the Minister prepared to give an indication of the purposes for which dollars may be allocated between this and the 30th June?
I prefer not to be asked to go into detail on that. I have a statement which I can supply to the Deputy if he requires it. I should like to hear a case made privately why the details should be furnished. I do not think it would be proper to furnish them in a public way.