§ 30. Mr. C. WHITEasked the Prime Minister whether India or any of the Dominions have introduced or passed legislation similar to the German Reparation (Recovery) Act?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe answer is in the negative, with the exception of Newfoundland.
§ 33. Mr. BRIANTasked the Prime Minister whether any agreement has been reached with the other Allied Governments as to the allocation of the payments under the German Reparation (Recovery) Act; if so, what are the terms of the agreement?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe answer is in the negative.
§ 31. Mr. WHITEasked the Prime Minister whether the Allied experts at Brussels recommended that no further shipping should be taken from Germany under the Treaty of Versailles; on what grounds this recommendation was based; and whether it is going to be carried out?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo, Sir. The delegates to the Brussels Conference suggested for the consideration of the Allied Governments the offer, for the purpose of facilitating a general agreement, of certain alleviations to Germany's obligations under the Treaty, amongst others in regard to shipping. The attitude of the German Government towards its responsibilities for reparation has precluded any further discussion of these suggestions.
§ 35. Mr. BRIANTasked the Prime Minister whether, since the sanctions have been put into operation, negotiations have been reopened with Germany on the subject of reparations?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNegotiations have not been re-opened.
39. Dr. MURRAYasked the Prime Minister the amount which will be due to Great Britain from Germany by way of reparations in the year from 1st May, 1921, to 1st May, 1922, under the Treaty of Versailles?
§ The PRIME MINISTERUnder Article 233 of the Treaty of Versailles, it is the duty of the Reparation Commission to fix the amount to be paid by Germany in 1921–22 towards the discharge of her reparation liabilities. Subject to 9 the satisfaction of the priority accorded to Belgium, the British Empire is entitled under the Spa Agreement to 22 per cent. of the amount recovered under the head of reparation. The hon. Member will, however, remember that there are prior charges on all receipts from Germany for the costs of the armies of occupation and the repayment of the advances made in respect of coal deliveries.
§ 40. Mr. NEWBOULDasked the Prime Minister the amount paid by Germany by way of reparations under the Treaty of Versailles?
Lieut.-Commander YOUNGThe estimate of the Reparation Commission of the value of deliveries made by Germany up to 31st January last is approximately 6,055,000,000 gold marks, which, at 20 gold marks to the £, would be about £303,000,000. To arrive at the amount paid by way of reparation, there has to be deducted from this sum the costs of the armies of occupation and the advances made in respect of coal deliveries under the Spa Agreement. The approximate costs of armies of occupation up to 31st December, 1920, was 3,530,000,000 gold marks, say, £177,000,000. The coal advances, which have, I understand, now been completed but for minor adjustments, will amount to approximately £25,000,000. When account has been taken of deliveries made since 31st January and the costs of occupation since 1st January, the amount paid to date by Germany by way of reparation may prove to be about £100,000,000.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYCan the hon. and gallant Member say whether the price of goods handed over by Germany, such as ships, is at the time they were handed over or at the present market price?
Lieut.-Commander YOUNGI am not informed on that point, but I will ascertain for my hon. and gallant Friend.
§ 41. Mr. HOGGEasked the Prime Minister which of the Allied Powers have introduced or passed legislation similar to the German Reparation (Recovery) Act?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe Belgian Parliament have passed, and the French 10 Government are taking the necessary Committee steps to pass legislation similar to the Reparations (Recovery) Act. The Italian, Portuguese, Roumanian, Greek and Siamese Governments have intimated their intention to introduce similar measures.