§ 49. Mr. HOUSTONasked the Prime Minister whether it has been brought to his notice that the German Government proposes to pay 1,500,000,000 marks to German shipowners as compensation for their war losses; and can he state the amount Germany will be made to pay to this country as compensation for the loss of British tonnage through German action during the War?
§ The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. Chamberlain)I have no definite information about the first part of the question. I would refer my hon. Friend to Articles 235 and 236 of the Treaty with Germany and to Annexe III. to the Reparation Clauses of the Treaty. These provisions may be summarised as follows: Within two months of the coming into force of the Treaty, Germany is to deliver to the Reparation Commission all the German merchant ships which are of 1,600 tons gross or upwards, and a proportion of those under 1,600 tons. Within five years from the coming into force of the Treaty Germany is to build merchant ships in German yards to an amount to be laid down by the Reparation Commission. Apart from these special provisions, the loss of British tonnage through the action of Germany and her Allies during the War will form part of the damage which Germany undertakes to make good under Article 232 of the Treaty.
§ 50. Mr. HOUSTONasked the Prime Minister whether he can state the total amount of indemnities, compensation, and reparation which Germany has to pay to France and Belgium, respectively; whether any instalments in money or material have been paid to either or both of these countries; and, if so, the amounts of the same?
§ Mr. CHAMBERLAINIn reply to the first part of the question, under Article 233 of the Treaty with Germany, the amount which is to be paid by Germany by way of reparation is to be determined by the Reparation Commission to be set up under the Treaty. This Commission does not begin to function until the Treaty has been ratified by at least three of the principal Allied and Associated Powers, but I understand that certain deliveries 266 in kind haired-ten provisionally arranged by agreement to with the German Government, and are the ready taking place. Particulars of three deliveries will not be available until the Reparation Commission itself has met and determined what statements are to be published from time to time.
Perhaps my hon. Friend and the House will allow me to remind them that the Reparation Commission is, of course, not a British Government Department. It is an international body, and I cannot answer for it or on its behalf, as I can for a Department under my own control.
§ Sir F. LOWEIs there any provision as to indemnity, apart from the question of reparation? I did not gather that my right hon. Friend said anything about indemnity.
§ Mr. CHAMBERLAINIf my hon. Friend will look at the Treaty, he will find all the information available.
§ Sir F. LOWEBut the question particularly asks what indemnity Germany is to be made to pay, and when?
§ Mr. CHAMBERLAINWhatever we may have to come is under the terms of the Treaty.
§ Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe British Government will get it for the British nation.
§ 61. Mr. HOUSTONasked the Prime Minister whether he can state the total amount of money it has been decided shall be demanded from Germany as indemnity, compensation, or reparation to Great Britain; and when the first instalment is due and the amount of the same?
§ Mr. CHAMBERLAINBy Article 233 of the Treaty with Germany, it is provided that the Reparation Commission shall determine the amount to be paid by Germany and the times and manner of payment. Article 235 of the Treaty provides that, pending the full determination of the claims of the Allied and Associated Powers, Germany shall pay in such instalments and in such manner as the Reparation Commission may fix during 1919, 1920, and the first four months of 1921, the equivalent of 20,000,000,000 gold marks, which sum is charged in the first instance with the cost of the Armies of Occupation 267 and of such supplies [...] and raw materials as may be [...] the Governments of the [...] Allied and Associated Powers to be essential to enable Germany to [...] obligations for reparation.
§ Mr. HOUSTONIs my right hon. Friend aware that the Prime Minister, and practically every Coalition candidate, at the General Election assured the electors that Germany would be made to pay the full costs of the War to the uttermost farthing?
§ Mr. CHAMBERLAINI am not aware of that. My hon. Friend has a greater knowledge of his own speeches than of mine. It does not correctly represent the speeches of the Prime Minister or his colleagues.
§ Mr. HOUSTONDoes the right hon. Gentleman not remember that the Prime Minister made that specific declaration?
§ Mr. CHAMBERLAINNo, Sir; he did not.
§ Mr. BOTTOMLEYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that under these indemnity clauses Germany is already terribly in arrear with her contribution for the cost of the Army of Occupation; and what steps dues he propose to take to enforce at least this mild provision?
§ Mr. CHAMBERLAINI would remind my hon. Friend what I have just brought to the attention of the House, that the Reparation Commission is not a British Government Department, and I cannot issue instructions to it.