§ 51. Mr. CHARLES EDWARDSasked the Prime Minister the total amount 1798 received by Great Britain in money and goods from Germany up to date; what is the number of British troops in the Army of Occupation and the cost of the same; whether the cost is included in the reparation proposals or whether it is proposed to levy a separate and distinct charge to cover this; and will he state the amount of taxation per head of the population in Germany, France, Italy, and Great Britain?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWWith regard to the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to a reply given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to a question by the hon. Member for Stoke Newington on the 28th February. The total number of British troops in the Army of Occupation on the 1st February last was 12,909, all ranks, costing approximately £219,200 per month. The costs of the Armies of Occupation are the first charge on the amounts recovered from Germany, but are payable in addition to the sum payable by her for reparations. With regard to the last part of the question, the following estimate has been made of the total tax revenue per head in the countries named:
Germany … 599 Marks. France … 390 Francs. Italy … 200 Lire. United Kingdom … £22.
Sir F. HALLCan the right hon. Gentleman say what is the sterling value of those figures on the present rates of exchange?