54. Lieut.-Colonel CLAUDE LOWTHERasked the Prime Minister whether there is any provision in the peace terms which compels the enemy countries to pay in full the Allies war bill when, and as, they are in a position to do so?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer which I gave on Monday to the hon. Member for Hackney, South.
Lieut.-Colonel LOWTHERIs the right hon. Gentleman now in a position to allocate a day for the discussion of the peace terms, and will he in any case, in 1569 compliance with the promise he gave to my hon. Friend (Mr. Bottomley), promise that that day will be given before the peace terms are signed?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI am sure that the hon. Member for South Hackney recognised that I gave no such promise. I said, if circumstances in the opinion of the Government made it possible to have a discussion without doing harm, it would be given. My hon. Friend recognised my answer when he reserved his right to move the Adjournment.
§ Mr. BOTTOMLEYCan the right hon. Gentleman give us any idea of the last day on which this Peace Treaty will have to be signed?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI cannot. I wish I could.
§ Brigadier-General CROFTWill the Government bear in mind that upon the last occasion that the German Empire made peace they inflicted the whole cost of the war and, in addition, large indemnities upon their enemies?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe peace delegates are well aware of that. We have not forgotten that at any stage of the proceedings.