HC Deb 05 March 1923 vol 161 cc13-4
30. Captain BENN

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Konigswinter has been occupied by coloured troops?

Mr. McNEILL

Konigswinter has been occupied by Moroccan troops which were part of the Bonn garrison.

Captain Viscount CURZON

Is it correct to describe Moroccan troops as "coloured"?

48. Captain BENN

asked the Prime Minister whether he can make any statement as to the demand by the French section of the Railway Sub-Commission at Cologne for more accommodation; whether the demand has been granted; and what action has been taken on it by the German officials?

Mr. McNEILL

I have no official information on this point.

Captain BENN

How often do the Foreign Office communicate with the Commission? Do they not hear of things until two or three days or a week after?

Mr. McNEILL

I think we usually hear within a few hours.

Captain BENN

May I take it that there is no truth whatever in the report which has apeared in "The Times" and elsewhere as to the difficulty in finding accomodation at Cologne for this Commission?

Mr. McNEILL

I could not say.

65. Colonel WEDGWOOD

asked the Prime Minister the present position of the British protest against the French taking the 12 milliard marks which were on their way to the Cologne area; has the money been returned; and is it clear that such supplies of currency will be safe in future on the road between Germany and Cologne?

Mr. McNEILL

I regret to be unable at present to add anything to the reply which the Prime Minister gave on this subject to the hon. and gallant Member for Lough-borough on 1st March, except that no part of the money was intended for the British Army of Occupation.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

May we take it there is no truth in the statement in the Press that the French have refused to hand over any portion of this money?

Mr. McNEILL

I do not know that any request has been made to that effect.

Captain BENN

Has every expression of opinion been given by the British authorities?

Mr. McNEILL

Not so far as I am aware, nor do I see any reason that there should be.

Captain BERKELEY

(by Private Notice) asked the Prime Minister whether he has any information from our Embassy in Berlin or from any other source to show that the German Government is contemplating the rupture of diplomatic relations with France?

The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Bonar Law)

The answer is in the negative.

Captain BERKELEY

If it should prove to be so—

SPEAKER

Hypothetical questions are not allowed.