§ 5. Mr. MURCHISONasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's representative at Bucharest has asked the Roumanian Government for explanations as to the failure of that Government to meet its 201 financial obligations to British holders of Roumanian Government Bonds; whether that Government has given assurances, and when; and whether effect has yet been given to the assurances, if any. by the Roumanian Government?
Mr. HARMSWORTHRepeated representations have been made by His Majesty's Charge d'Affaires at Bucharest, to whom the Roumanian Ministry for Foreign Affairs on the 16th July, 1919, signified their assent to the payment in London of the Coupons of the 1908 loan. The Roumanian Prime Minister stated on 2nd January that the financial situation of Roumania at that time rendered any such payment impossible and that he hoped to conclude a loan which would stabilise the situation, in which case the Coupons would immediately be paid. On 2nd February the Roumanian Government stated that the only loan paid in London was the 1913 loan. On 16th April the Roumanian Prime Minister and Minister for Finance both assured His Majesty's representative that they hoped to be able to pay these coupons shortly. No action has yet been taken by the Roumanian Government, in whose new budget the amount necessary for the payment of these Coupons does not appear to be included. His Majesty's representative at Bucharest has been instructed to represent to them the importance of fixing a definite date for payment.