61. Colonel C. LOWTHERasked the Prime Minister when he will be prepared to make a statement on the question of indemnities and the enemy countries' capacity to pay?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI cannot say when it will be possible to make any new statement on the subject.
Colonel LOWTHERCan the right hon. Gentleman now say whether Thursday will be allocated for the discussion on this subject in view of the fact of the general desire of the House to discuss it?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI have already said that I hope it will be possible to discuss it on Thursday, but the Irish Estimates must be disposed of first.
§ Mr. DEVLINWell, it will not be possible then!
Mr. K. JONESIs my right hon. Friend aware that a statement has been published in Paris that the Allies have arrived at the amount of the indemnity, I and could he say whether or not that is; true?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI do not think it would be possible for me to give a direct answer if even that were the case. As a matter of fact, it is not.
§ Mr. BILLINGWill the right hon. Gentleman tell the House when it has been arrived at, and the amount at which the delegates have arrived?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWNo, Sir; the House will realise that that is impossible. Treaties would never be made if every point was to be made public beforehand.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThese supplementary questions are to-day exceeding bounds.
66. Mr. ALFRED T. DAVIESasked the Lord Privy Seal whether our delegates at the Peace Conference are considering the imposition of a war indemnity upon enemy countries out of proportion to the colossal expenditure incurred by the War?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI cannot add anything to previous answers given on this subject.
Sir F. HALLAre we to have a cut and dried decision brought into the House of Commons without having an opportunity here of discussing the matter and arriving: at a decision?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI think I have answered that question about a hundred times. No treaty can be made without first being discussed by the House of Commons.