§ MR. MACKINNON, seeing the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his place, wished to put to him a question relative to Antigua. A few years ago an earthquake took place in Antigua; and, in consequence. 870 a loan of 100,000l. had been made to them, payable, with interest, by half-yearly instalments. He wished to know when the first half-yearly instalment was expected, and whether more than the interest would be paid?
§ The CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERsaid, that a loan of upwards of 100,000l. had been advanced to persons whose property had been injured a few years ago by an earthquake at the island of Antigua. The principal was to be repaid by regular instalments, and there were to be half-yearly payments of interest. Last year he (the Chancellor of the Exchequer) had introduced an Act for postponing the repayments of the principal; but the half-yearly payments of interest were left untouched by the measure.