§ 63. Mr. LYNCHasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, as the arrangement by which the British Treasury pays £5,000 a year to the Dowager Duchess of Coburg rests on a contract with the Government of Russia involving mutual obligations, and that these obligations are not being respected, and considering, moreover, the necessity of Germany and also the pro-German activities of the person in question, he will declare the contract null and void?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI can add nothing to the previous answers which I have given on this subject.
§ Mr. LYNCHSince the previous answer was given, has not the position with reference to Russia changed in such a way that all previous contracts have gone by the board?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWNo. It is quite true that the present Russian Government, or those in authority in Russia, have cancelled the obligations, but it does not follow that we have cancelled ours.
§ Mr. BILLINGWill the Government consider the advisability of appointing a Committee of Members of this House to inquire into all the enemies to whom we are paying pensions, and will the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that the hon. Member who has put the question should be a member of that Committee?