§ 2. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the defeat of Mannerheim by Stahlberg for the Presidency of Finland is held in that country to be a rebuff to His Majesty's Government and their expeditions against Petrograd; whether British credits to Finland have been cancelled on account of Mannerheim's defeat; and, in view of Mannerheim's record, will he make a statement on this subject?
Mr. HARMSWORTHThe answer to the first and third parts of the question is in the negative. As regards the second 1598 part of the question, His Majesty's Government have not been contemplating, either before or after the defeat of General Mannerheim, the grant of a credit to the Government of Finland.
Sir J. D. REESIs it permissible to use a question for the purpose of making an innuendo against a foreign statesman like Mannerheim, whose reputation stands so-high in his own country?
§ Colonel WEDGWOODAgainst whom is the insinuation made? Is it against Mannerheim, the well-known butcher of the Reds in Finland?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat only aggravates the offence.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODThere was no-offence.
§ The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. Chamberlain)Permission has been given to the Government of Finland to raise a loan in this country on. condition that the proceeds are devoted to the purchase of goods in the United Kingdom. I have no official information what progress has been made with the negotiations.
§ Mr. CHAMBERLAINThat is the condition attaching to the raising of the loan.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODWill similar opportunity be given to the Governments of Esthonia, Lithuania, and Lativia?
§ Mr. CAIRNSWill there be a guarantee that any goods going to that country are not required by the home consumer?
§ Mr. CHAMBERLAINIn so far as it may be necessary to protect our own resources against depletion that must be done by restrictions of general application imposed by the Board of Trade. It would be wholly insufficient merely to attach conditions to a particular loan.
§ Mr. CHAMBERLAINWe have been considering that question, but are not yet in a position to make an announcement on the subject. I doubt very much whether the time has come for their complete abolition.