34. Mr. L. MALONEasked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government has had before it proposals to permit Greece to obtain credits under the Trade Facilities Act with a British guarantee; and whether, in view of the hostilities between Greece and Turkey and the urgent necessity of concluding peace with the Turkish people and not estranging Moslem sentiment, he will assure the House that no further financial assistance will be given to the Greeks until peaceful relations are established between Greece and Turkey?
§ The PRIME MINISTERIn answer to the first part of the question, I understand that the application of the Greek Government is before the Advisory Committee under the Trade Facilities Act. I cannot anticipate the decision of the Committee upon the application. In answer to the second part of the question, there is no intention on the part of His Majesty's Government to make a loan to the Greek Government.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYWhat has the Trade Facilities Act to do with a loan?
§ The PRIME MINISTERApplications must be made to the Trade Facilities Committee.
Mr. MALONEDoes the right hon. Gentleman not think that the best way of bringing about peace with Turkey is to put a stop to financial assistance to the Greek Government?
§ The PRIME MINISTERWe do not propose to offer any financial assistance to Greece.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODHave we not guaranteed any loans to Greece under the Trade Facilities Act?
§ The PRIME MINISTERWe do not propose any Government guarantee except to the extent that the Trade Facilities Act involves it. We have definitely pledged ourselves in the House of Commons not to interfere with the action of the Committee under that Act.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODThat is direct assistance to the Greek Government.
§ Mr. T. P. O'CONNORIs it not a condition with regard to the Geek loan that the greater part of the money received shall be spent in this country—
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYOn munitions.
§ Mr. O'CONNORMy hon. Friend, the latest Turcophile addition to the Radical party, suggests munitions, but is it not the fact that munitions have been supplied by Allied Powers to the Kemalists, in order to make war on Greece in Asia Minor, thus subjecting the Christians in the Near East once more to butchery by the Turks?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe Trade Facilities Act was passed with a view to promoting British trade, and it was solely to meet the object of the Act that it was possible to consider the application at all, as it might lead to orders being placed in this country. With regard to the latter part of the question, I can only say that such a statement has undoubtedly appeared.
§ 44. Mr. ESMOND HARMSWORTHasked the Prime Minister whether, before sanctioning the loans the Greek Government propose levying in this country, proper guarantees have been accepted with regard to the loan of £15,000,000 made by His Majesty's Government to the Greek Government?
Mr. YOUNGI am not aware of any loan of £15,000,000 made by His Majesty's Government to the Greek Government, and accordingly I fear that I do not understand to What the question refers.
§ Mr. HARMSWORTHHow does the hon. Gentleman reconcile that with the reply to a question at the end of 1920, wherein I was told that the British Government have made a loan of £15,000,000 to the Greek Government?
Mr. YOUNGIf the hon. Gentleman will give me a reference, I will look it up. As a matter of fact no loan of £15,000,000 has been granted to Greece.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODAre we to understand from that reply that the Greek Government do not owe us any money?