asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the value of gold now held in Norway and Czechoslovakia to the credit of the Bank of England under the payments agreements made with those countries.

None, Sir.

But can the Chancellor say how this is, in view of the fact that we have very favourable balances with both these countries on trading accounts and, under the payments agreements, gold should be laid aside under these conditions?

Each of these agreements provides that the other country may in certain circumstances obtain sterling against gold set aside in our favour, but these circumstances have not arisen in their case.