§ 1. Sir H. BRITTAINasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the definite allocation of rolling stock between the Succession States has yet been settled; and to what extent engines and goods wagons are being moved across their respective frontiers?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Cecil Harmsworth)No settlement has yet been reached. The movement of engines and goods wagons across the frontiers of the Succession States is not yet proceeding freely, but provisional arrangements have been made, on the basis of the status quo, to render rolling stock, the ownership of which is disputed, available both for internal and international traffic. Austria, Hungary, and Rumania have entered into an agreement whereby the interchange of rolling stock between these countries is regulated.
§ Sir H. BRITTAINIs it not a fact that this matter is responsible more than anything else for the holding up of trade between Central Europe and this country; and as we have been promised again and again that this question will be attended to, can the hon. Gentleman hold out any hope that it will be settled at an early date?
§ Mr. HARMSWORTHI am not responsible for Central Europe. His Majesty's Government have undertaken to do everything in their power to remove difficulties of communication.
Sir J. D. REESDoes the Government undertake the duty of distributing the rolling stock of these Succession States; and, if so, how is it proposed to deal with it?
§ Mr. HARMSWORTHHis Majesty's Government have intervened with the greatest usefulness in regard to this matter.
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREHas not the whole of the initiative been undertaken by our Government?
§ Sir H. BRITTAINIs it not a fact that nothing will be done until a decision has been arrived at in Paris?
§ Mr. HARMSWORTHI do not understand what the hon. Member's reference to Paris means.