66. Sir J. D. REESasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether a proposal for a Greek loan is again before the Trades Facilities Committee; and whether any Government guarantee of financial assistance, direct or indirect, to the Greek Government is contemplated, other than the release of certain Greek revenues as security for a Greek loan which has already been granted?
Mr. YOUNGThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, and consequently the remainder of the question docs not arise.
99. Mr. L. MALONEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what securities have been assigned or promised to the Greek Government during the past two years?
Mr. YOUNGI do not understand the hon. Member's question. No securities have been assigned or promised by His Majesty's Government to the Greek Government.
Sir J. D. REESDoes the hon. Gentleman say that certain securities have been released by the British Government in order to enable the Greek Government to borrow upon them?
Mr. YOUNGCertainly. I say the Greek Government has agreed with the British Government for the release of their lien over certain assets of the Greek Government in order to facilitate the borrowing operations of the Greek Government; but I shall require notice before I can give particulars of the extent or nature of those assets.
Mr. MALONEBefore these loans were released, did we make any inquiries as to 406 what the money would be required for, or did we make any stipulations?
Mr. YOUNGTo the best of my knowledge the only understanding was that as much as possible of the money the Greek Government was to obtain from private members on the London market was to be spent in this country, but, as hon. Members know, these negotiations were a failure.
Sir J. D. REESCan the hon. Gentleman indicate why what was apparently so exceptional a favour was shown to the Greek Government?
Mr. MALONEWas it definitely said that this money was not to be used to fight the enemy, the Turk, or anyone else?
§ Lord ROBERT CECILCan I ask my hon. Friend, in view of the very well-known established rule of international law that a neutral country must not lend money to one of two belligerents, whether precautions were taken that this money was not to be used for warlike purposes?
§ Viscount CURZONWas this decision the decision of the British Government alone, or taken in conjunction with our Allies?
109. Major BARNESasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, when the Government consented to the release of certain securities for the purpose of facilitating the raising of a loan by the Greek Government in this country, any information was before it as to the purposes to which the loan would be applied; and, if so, if he will say what they were?
Mr. YOUNGThe only understanding was that, if the Greek Government raised a loan on the London market, as large a proportion as possible would be spent on the purchase of British goods.