28. Major DAVID DAVIESasked the Prime Minister whether the Reparations Commission at Vienna has been instructed to prepare a statement showing what are the financial obligations of each State constituted from the old Austro-Hungarian Empire; if so, when this statement may be expected; and whether he will arrange for its publication?
§ The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. Chamberlain)Under Article 203 of the Treaty with Austria each of the States arising from the dismemberment of the former Austro-Hungarian Monarchy assumes responsibility for a portion of the secured debt, and of the unsecured bonded debt of the former Austrian Government, and such portion has to be fixed by the Reparation Commission on the basis laid down in the Treaty. Article 186 of the Treaty with Hungary contains similar provisions. The Treaty with Hungary has not yet been ratified, and, as far as I am aware, the Reparation Commission is not yet in a position to deal with the question of the apportionment of the debt referred to. The Reparation Commission is an 1921 Inter-Allied body over which I have no control, but I have no doubt that the decisions will be published in due course.