HC Deb 14 June 1932 vol 267 cc188-90
38. Mr. COCKS

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will give a list of the countries which have declared a default in respect to the payment of their debts?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Eden)

In view of the many different forms which the various defaults in the service of debts have taken and of the different degrees of default involved it would only be misleading to group all these defaults together in one list. I would therefore refer the hon. Member to the suggestion made by my right hon. Friend the Secre- tary of State for Foreign Affairs on the l7th February, in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Colchester, that inquiry should be made of the Council of Foreign Bondholders.

Mr. HERBERT WILLIAMS

May I ask whether the foreign bondholders have a list of the American States that have defaulted?

Mr. EDEN

I suggest that my hon. Friend might ask that question of the Council of Foreign Bondholders.

47. Sir JOHN WARD LAW-MILNE

(for Mr. HOWARD GRITTEN) asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total sum of reparations received in cash or kind from Germany and allocated to the United Kingdom since the Sumner Commission Fund was provided in May, 1920, to mitigate the delay in the payment of the treaty reparations?

Major ELLIOT

The Sumner Commission was appointed to consider cases in which there was a moral claim by British nationals to ex gratia grants by way of compensation for suffering or damage by enemy action within Annex 1 to Part 8 of the Treaty of Versailles. The reparation receipts of the United Kingdom since the appointment of the commission amount to£121,000,000, but, as my hon. Friend is aware, the claims coming within the terms of reference of the Sumner Commission constitute only about 1 per cent. of the total United Kingdom reparation claim.

48. Sir J. WARDLAW-MILNE

(for Mr. HOWARD GRITTEN) asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the sum of£18,750,000, representing the outstanding balance of liquidated German property, has been credited to Germany, under the provisions of the Treaty of Versailles, specifically as a reparation payment; and, if not, under what heading it has been credited?

Major ELLIOT

The amount in question (which, in fact, is£18,500,000) was credited to Germany against the original capital Reparation Debt under the Treaty of Versailles. Under the Hague Agreement of 20th January, 1930, that debt has now been replaced by the annuities laid down in the New Plan, and such credits against the original debt do not affect Germany's current obligations.

Sir J. WARDLAW-MILNE

Will my right hon. and gallant Friend consider the desirability of issuing a White Paper showing the exact position and the moneys that are available?

Major ELLIOT

I will consider that suggestion.

Mr. GROVES

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that Britishers have not yet been adequately compensated for injuries and loss of property sustained as the result of enemy action; and will he now recommend the Government to look into the matter again and deal justly with these people?

Major ELLIOT

They have been paid. The award has not been paid in full, but no one has been paid in full.