§ 61. Mr. OUTHWAITEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total of the loan issues of the Governments of the Allies in this country to assume liability for which is a moral obligation of the. British taxpayer, as in the case of the Russian bonds on which default has been made?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe answer is in the negative.
§ Mr. OUTHWAITEAre we to under-stand that this precedent will land us in an unlimited liability which the Government cannot state, and will this action of the Government require Parliamentary sanction?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWNo, Sir. I think it will not land us in unlimited liability. The question was one in regard to which there was a certain amount of moral responsibility, and every such question must be treated on its merits.
§ Mr. OUTHWAITEWhy should not this House deal with a question of moral obligations and not the Government, when they arc to be met by the taxpayer?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe House has always the power of judging. If it disapproves of a decision of the Government it can be reversed.
§ Mr. D. MASONWhat authority had the Government for undertaking this liability?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI have made inquiries and there is no need for special authority. It is done in the ordinary way.