40. Mr. L. MALONEasked the Prime Minister whether, in reference to Russian coupons paid since March, 1917, by the French Government, or to Russian securities accepted by the French Government in part payment of French losses, he can state the last date on which coupons so paid fell due or the date of the last French loan, part payment for which was so accepted; and whether there has been any provision made or agreement arrived at for the liquidation of these Russian State debts by the Supreme Allied Council or the British Government?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI have no information in regard to action taken by the French Government in respect of Russian securities beyond what appears in official French documents. I understand that coupons of loans issued or guaranteed by the Russian State which had fallen due or were to fall due during 1918, were accepted on certain conditions in payment of subscriptions to the internal French loan of October, 1918. The Treasury have no further information as to the first part of the question. The answer to the last part is in the negative.
Lieut.-Colonel A. MURRAYCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the subject of the repayment of the Russian external debt is a subject of conversation with M. Krassin?
41. Mr. MALONEasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the French Government has at various times since March, 1917, paid the coupons or interest on Russian State obligations; how much money has been so paid out by the French Government; whether he is aware that the French Government has also accepted as part payment for French loans the delivery of Russian State bonds or scrip; how much State loan of the French Government has been paid for in Russian securities thus delivered to it; whether these transactions have been the subject of official communications and negotiations between the French and British Governments; and whether the British Government is under any guarantee, promise, or obligation given in connection with the Russian State debts?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe Treasury have no information as to the first and second parts of the question. The answer to the third part of the question is in the affirmative, and, according to a statement made by the French Budget Commission in 1919, coupons to the value of 265,703,000 francs were accepted in payment of subscriptions to the internal French loan of October, 1918. The answers to the fifth and sixth parts of the question are in the negative.