HC Deb 27 July 1831 vol 5 cc395-6
Mr. Baring

wished also to ask the noble Lord a question. The noble Lord was aware that half the Loan Russia had negotiated in Holland, had been taken conjointly by England and Holland, on condition that Belgium should be united to Holland, and they were to continue to pay the interest of that Loan, as long as the union of the two countries continued. England had already paid a large sum on account of this Loan. Now, as the condition on which she took the Loan was, that Belgium should be united to Holland—and as those two countries were now de facto separated, he wished to know whether England considered herself bound to continue the payments on account of that Loan? He wished to ask, too, if the noble Lord was aware that the King of Holland had refused to make the last payment on account of this Loan, because the condition on which he made himself responsible for it no longer existed?

Viscount Palmerston

said, the subject to which the hon. Gentleman alluded, was not quite so simple as it appeared. The question was, whether the liabilities of England still continued, according to the fair interpretation of treaties, or was put an end to by the separation of the two countries? The question was at that moment under the consideration of Government, and as soon as the Government had satisfied itself as to what was fair and just, he should be ready to communicate its determination to the House. At that moment he was not able to communicate to the House what the liability of the Government was, under the present circumstances.

Mr. Baring

again asked the noble Lord, if he was aware that the Government of Holland had refused to pay, and if there was any difference between the liabilities of England and Holland?

Viscount Palmerston

was not aware of the fact till the hon. Member stated it. As to the latter part of the question, there was a difference between the two cases, inasmuch as the power of Holland to make payments was diminished by a loss of her resources.

Colonel Davies

hoped, until the case was decided, no further payments would be made. He looked upon the whole arrangement as one of doubtful propriety, and though he by no means wished to urge on the Government any breach of faith, he must conjure it, under present circumstances, to take every fair and proper opportunity to diminish the expenditure of the country.

Lord Althorp

said, that no payments would be made until Government should have decided upon the future course.