asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the value in pounds sterling of the investment of British funds in the U.S.A. in 1939, 1940 and 1941, to build, equip and operate factories for production of aircraft, A.F.Vs., ships and other forms of war munitions, subsequently taken over by the U.S. Supply Departments after the entry of the U.S.A. into the war; and at what valuation were they taken over.

Capital expenditure by His Majesty's Government in the United States in 1939–41 on the construction and purchase of factories, machinery and equipment for the production of munitions was about £43,000,000. After the United States entered the war a number of the major units which had been financed by His Majesty's Government at a cost of £20,000,000 were taken over by the United States Government, on the basis of cost less depreciation, for about £19,000,000. The disposition of the rest which, of course, includes the less valuable properties, is not yet complete.