HC Deb 27 June 1921 vol 143 cc1777-9
35. Mr. BOTTOMLEY

asked the Prime Minister whether he is in a position to form any estimate of the quantity of timber, zinc, potash, and sugar which Germany could supply to this country in reduction of her financial obligations under the Treaty of Versailles; and whether, having regard to the fact that the exportation of such commodities to Britain would not compete with home industries, he will consider the propriety of enforcing this method of payment upon Germany?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

No estimates have been framed on the lines suggested in the first part of the question, but the Reparation Commission is considering how far Germany's reparation liabilities can be satisfied in kind.

37. Mr. G. W. H. JONES

asked the Prime Minister when claims by British subjects which are registered in the Reparation Claims Department of the Board of Trade for submission to the Grants Commission are likely to be dealt with, and when he anticipates that any reparation receipts from Germany will be available for the purpose of satisfying such claims; and when the claims of British subjects in respect of damage to property which are matters of compensa- tion under the economic clauses of the Treaty of Versailles and registered in the Clearing Office for settlement are likely to be paid?

The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Hilton Young)

I have been asked to reply. As regards the first and second parts of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave on the 20th instant to the hon. and gallant Member for Leith. As regards the third part, I am informed that the claims by British subjects for compensation in respect of damage to their property in Germany have to be adjudicated upon by the mixed arbitral tribunal, but that in order to save time and argument before the tribunal the British Clearing Office will be prepared to give their assistance to claimants in agreeing claims with the German authorities for submission to the tribunal for confirmation. As a result of recent negotiations with the German Government it is hoped that the payment of the compensation that is awarded may be accelerated.

93. Sir N. MOORE

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the £5,000,000 mentioned by his predecessor on 4th May, 1920, as purposed to be set apart for the satisfaction of claims in respect of civilian damage resulting from enemy action would be sufficient to satisfy all the claims the Government have received and admitted and upon which this part of the British claim against Germany was based; whether the Government has yet received sufficient money from Germany in respect of reparations to set aside the said £5,000,000; if so, when will the Commission be appointed to deal with the claims; whether the Government has yet received sufficient money to set aside the £5,000,000; and, if not, when do they expect to receive it?

Mr. YOUNG

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. and gallant Member for Leith on the 20th June.

3. Mr. A. M. SAMUEL

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give any information as to the intention of the German Government in respect to the rate of exchange at which that Government will indemnify German traders for the 26 per cent. duty levied on goods exported from Germany and consigned to the United Kingdom; and, if he has no information, will he allow inquiries to be made of the German authorities?

Sir P. LLOYD-GREAME (Secretary, Department of Overseas Trade)

I am informed that an official announcement has new been issued by the German Ministry of Finance that German exporters, on producing a British certificate of the amount levied and necessary details, will be reimbursed in respect of any levy collected since 12th May last in German currency at the rate of exchange prevailing on the day when the certificate was issued.

14. Mr. MYERS

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can state the weight of German dyes which have been contributed by Germany in connection with reparation; the cost of these dyes to the Government at the time of placing them on the market; and the prices being charged to the trade?

Sir P. LLOYD-GREAME

The total weight of synthetic dyestuffs received up to the present for the British Empire under the Reparation Clauses of the Treaty of Versailles is approximately 4,053 tons, and the total value credited to Germany is about 110 million paper marks, to which must be added cost of carriage, storage and distribution. The prices charged to the trade—which, of course, vary according to the classes and brands of dyestuffs—are as nearly as possible the market prices ruling at the time of sale, and have been fixed in consultation with representatives of the consumers.