54. Mr. DOYLEasked the Prime Minister whether any question has been raised at the Peace Conference of not calling upon Germany or her associates to pay the Allied countries the cost of the war, or of not imposing heavy indemnities; whether the Conference has eliminated any such intentions; and whether, in view of the pledges given by him, he is prepared to make any statement on the subject?
§ Mr. BONAR LAW (Leader of the House)I can add nothing to the answer which I gave to similar questions on this subject and to what the Prime Minister said in debate on Wednesday last.
§ Colonel CLAUDE LOWTHERIs the Government prepared to consider a report of financiers outside the House who are ready to show that Germany can pay very large sums?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWMy hon. Friend may rest assured that the Government are leaving; no inquiry out of account.
§ 59. Mr. BOTTOMLEYasked the Prime Minister whether he will lay upon the Table of this House, when received, the Report of the Inter-Allied Commission now inquiring into the financial resources of Germany?
65. Lieutenant-Colonel Sir JOHN HOPEasked the Prime Minister whether he will lay before Parliament the Report of the Commission now considering the indemnities to be exacted from enemy countries before, the actual demands far the indemnities have been presented to the enemy countries?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWAs the Commission is still sitting, I am not in a position to state whether the Report, will be made public.
§ Mr. BOTTOMLEYIn view of the fact that it is generally understood that this House will have no opportunity of doing anything but accepting or ratifying this Treaty, would the right hon. Gentleman consider the importance of giving it an opportunity of considering what may be one of its most important terms before it is too late?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI quite realise the importance of that, and that as far as possible the House should be acquainted with what is going on.
§ 64. Colonel YATEasked whether the Government will lay before Parliament the terms of reference to the Committee which has been appointed in Paris to estimate the amount of the indemnity to be claimed from Germany?
§ 68. Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSasked the terms of reference to Mr. Hughes, Lord Cunliffe, and Lord Sumner regarding the indemnity to be paid by Germany?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI would refer my hon. Friends to the answer given by me on 13th February, which was, I think, clear and definite.