§ MR. B. COCHRANEasked whether the Greek Government had paid the arrears of 926 loan due to Her Majesty's Government; and whether, if they had not paid up those arrears, it was the intention of Government to insist on the payment of the interest of the loan?
§ VISCOUNT PALMERSTONThe half-year's instalment payable upon the loan in April, which was advanced by Her Majesty's Government, has been repaid. Since that period, another instalment being due in September, and no provision being made, a demand was made by the Government of this country on the Government of Greece for payment of the instalment; but as yet the payment has not been made.
§ MR. B. COCHRANEsaid, that the question referred to the whole amount of arrears still due to the English Government.
§ VISCOUNT PALMERSTONThe whole amount of arrears is a very considerable sum, amounting to something like 190,000l. No immediate demand has been made for the payment of that amount. Although we think the Greek Government are perfectly able to pay the instalments as they become due, yet I cannot pretend to say that they can be supposed capable of paying up at once so large a sum as that. The inclination of the Government is, that some arrangement should be made for the gradual and progressive liquidation of the debt.