§ 23. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the Reparation Commission on 7th March ordered Hungary to pay 28,750 head of livestock, emphasising the fact that this demand is only an advance on the amount of reparations payable; how much of this livestock this country will secure; how many head of stock did Rumania take; was that credited to Hungary; and whether, in the interests; of reconstruction and peace, these continual demands upon a bankrupt and starving country will now be stopped?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Hilton Young)I am informed that the livestock referred to by the hon. and gallant Member was de- 718 manded from Hungary by the Reparation Commission on 8th March, 1922, under paragraph 2a of Annex IV to Part VIII of the Treaty of Trianon, to meet immediate requirements of Italy, Serbia and Greece for the replacement of animals seized, consumed or destroyed by Hungary or destroyed in direct consequence of military operations. No demand for livestock was made by Great Britain. I assume that the hon. Member refers in the third part of his question to requisitions carried out in Hungary after the Armistice by the Rumanian army. I understand that the Reparation Commission is examining the questions arising out of these requisitions, the settlement of which has been confided under Article 181 of the Treaty of Trianon to the Reparation Commission. As regards the last part of the question, I am informed that the Reparation Commission, after full inquiry, and after considering written and verbal representations from the Hungarian Government, was satisfied that the delivery of the small amount of livestock demanded was within Hungary's capacity and could be made without injury to her social and economic life.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODAre we to understand that this is the last demand, or that there may be a recurrence of these demands for livestock?
§ Lieut. Commander KENWORTHYIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the Rumanian Army practically stripped the eastern part of Hungary of all cattle; and will our representative on the Reparation Commission concur in this particularly harsh demand? May I have an answer?
§ Mr. YOUNGI am afraid I do not understand to what demand my hon. and gallant Friend refers. If he requires information in addition to that which I have given in my answer, as to the action of our representative on the Reparation Commission, I shall certainly want notice in order to ascertain exactly what the action was.
§ Sir H. BRITTAINIs it strictly accurate to describe Hungary to-day as a starving country?
§ Colonel WEDGWOODSeeing that this question has been on the Paper for over three weeks, cannot the hon. Gentleman give me an answer to the last part of the question—whether, in the interests of reconstruction and peace, these continual demands upon a bankrupt and starving country will now be stopped?
§ Mr. YOUNGIn the latter part of the hon. and gallant Gentleman's question there are implications that hardly call for answer from a Minister. Of course, one does not accept all these implications on every occasion. As a matter of fact the facts I have already given, I think, answer the substance of the last part of the question.