55. Colonel C. LOWTHERasked the Prime Minister whether any conclusion has been arrived at during the last month at the various inter-Allied conferences, with reference to the final War indemnity to be imposed upon Germany and other belligerent countries?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe question is now under consideration at the Conference at Spa.
56. Colonel LOWTHERasked the Prime Minister whether, before the Great War, Germany's Revenue exceeded £200,000,000 per annum, extraneous of federal or local revenue; whether Germany will be saved £160,000,000 per annum by relieving her of her naval, military, and other collateral charges; whether he can state if the civil or federal revenue of Germany before the War amounted to nearly £100,000,000 sterling; and whether the saving effected by these means would be sufficient to pay interest and sinking fund upon and discharge, over a certain number of years, an inter-Allied loan of not less than £6,000,000,000?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI find some difficulty in understanding what my hon. and gallant Friend means by the expression "German revenue extraneous of federal revenue," nor, if I assume him to mean the revenue received by the Imperial Government, have I been able to verify the figures that he gives. But, 1649 in any case, my hon. and gallant Friend will understand that the capacity of any Government to pay an external debt depends upon other things than the amount of revenue which it can raise in its domestic currency.
Colonel LOWTHERIf these figures are approximately correct, does it not show that Germany will be able to pay a very substantial indemnity?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINIn the first place, I do not know what my hon. Friend means by "German revenue extraneous of federal or local revenue." If he means the revenue of the Imperial German Government and the expenditure on military matters, I am unable to verify the figures which he has supplied. For the inference he would draw, I must refer him to the latter part of my answer.
70. Mr. DOYLEasked the Lord Privy Seal what percentage of the indemnity to be paid by Germany to the Allies will be allocated to Great Britain; if such percentage is also meant to cover the amount claimed by the great Dominions; and if the latter have been consulted and have agreed to any reduction in the amount they originally agreed upon?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI must ask my hon. Friend to await the statement, which the Prime Minister will no doubt make on his return, as to any agreement which may have been arrived at in Brussels on this subject. His Majesty's Government have throughout acted in consultation and agreement with the Dominion Governments.