HC Deb 26 May 1921 vol 142 cc296-7
22. Mr. ALFRED T. DAVIES

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the composition and numbers of the British force to be sent to Upper Silesia has been decided upon; who will command this force; for what special work it is intended; whence will it be drawn; and on what date will it be despatched?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Lieut.-Colonel Sir R. Sanders)

I have been asked to reply. The answer to the first part of the hon. Member's question is in the affirmative. The appointment to command this force will be made in the course of to-day. The force is intended to help the other Allied troops to keep order in the plebiscite area, and it will be drawn partly from the British Army on the Rhine, and partly from troops in the United Kingdom. The force will be despatched without delay.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

Have the Government no information yet as to when this force is likely to start for Silesia?

Sir R. SANDERS

Yes, Sir.

38. Colonel ASHLEY

asked the Prime Minister who is to pay the cost of the three British battalions which are being moved from the occupied districts of Germany into Silesia, in view of the fact that the money for their upkeep is now a charge recoverable from the German Government?

The PRIME MINISTER

Under paragraph 6 of the Annex to Article 88 of the Treaty of Versailles, the cost of the troops occupying the plébiscite area in Upper Silesia is a charge on the area.