10. Sir F. HALLasked the President of the Board of Trade if his statement on the 20th October to the effect that there was no prospect of this country receiving any financial reparation from Germany in 1919 or 1920, and possibly not in 1921, was based on information that is in the possession of the Cabinet; and, if so, whether, in view of the assurances given by the Prime Minister to the country on this subject in December, 1918, he will state what exactly is the position of this question?
§ Sir A. GEDDESI cannot trace any statement made by me on 20th October of the categorical nature indicated in the question. I certainly do not anticipate that any financial reparation will be received this year, and I doubt if we shall 1416 receive much, if anything, in 1920. Any questions with regard to the payment of reparation should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Sir F. HALLWould my right hon. Friend like to have a copy of the speech which he made himself and which has apparently slipped his memory?
§ Sir A. GEDDESIt would be very interesting to see the report of the speech, which is very often different from the speech.