asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many American companies have arranged with the Economic Co-operation Administration to invest capital in Britain; and whether he can give any information as to the nature of their investments.

Nine, Sir. The investments cover a wide variety of enter- prises, all of which should play their part in rendering us independent of external aid.

Is not the number of American companies that have come over to this country so small because they fear they will not be able to transfer their profits back to America when they have made them, and are frightened of the nationalisation of their capital?

This Question does not relate to the number of American companies that have come over here, but to the number that have taken advantage of the arrangements provided by the Economic Co-operation Administration. which gives them precisely the guarantees to which the hon. Gentleman referred.