§ 45. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Prime Minister whether the 1221 attention of His Majesty's Government has been drawn to the recent heavy fall in the value of the German mark; whether he is aware of the difficulties caused by this fluctuation in exchange to British merchants and traders; whether His Majesty's Government are watching the situation with a view to taking some action; and what action they propose?
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Sir Robert Home)The answer to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative, I am not in a position to make any statement as regards the remainder.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYHave any instructions been given to Sir John Bradbury, our representative on the Reparation Commission, in view of this grave crisis?
§ Sir R. HORNEThe Reparation Commission, of which Sir John Bradbury is a member, is constantly in touch with the situation and, being the British representative, he is constantly in touch with His Majesty's Government.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYHave any instructions been given to Sir John Bradbury, and, if so, in what sense?
§ Sir R. HORNEI think it would be particularly ill-advised to disclose what is going on in this very delicate matter.
§ Lord R. CECILWill the right hon. Gentleman indicate whether the Government contemplate any statement on this subject either immediately or in the near future, and, if so, when?
§ Sir R. HORNEAs soon as developments have taken place, the Government will be anxious to give the House complete information, but I daresay my Noble Friend realises that at present that could not possibly be done.
Mr. GIDEON MURRAYIs His Majesty's Government in constant communication with the French Government in the matter?
§ Sir R. HORNEOf course they are constantly in touch with the French Government.
§ 49. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fall in the mark, the Powers are reconsidering the reparations to be expected from ex-enemies, such as Germany and Hungary?
§ Sir R. HORNEI would remind the hon. and gallant Member that the Reparation Commission was set up in accordance with the various Treaties of Peace for the purpose of continuous consideration of reparation questions. The matters referred to in the question are receiving the attention of the Reparation Commission as well as of the Governments concerned.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIs there any truth in the newspaper suggestion that M. Poincaré is coming over here at an early date to discuss this, or is it only a feeler put out by the French Press?
§ Sir R. HORNEAs far as I know there is no suggestion that M. Poincare should be here in connection with this particular matter. If my hon. and gallant Friend will remember, certain arrangements were made that a discussion would take place at the end of this month when M. Poincare was here. There has been no alteration in this arrangement. On the other hand, I should not like it to be inferred that what appears in the Press is necessarily a feeler put forward by the French Government.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYAre the Government going to rest content with the simple activities of the Reparation Commission; and do not recent events show that we shall have to do something more?
§ Sir R. HORNEOf course, His Majesty's Government is constantly dealing with this matter, and it is not merely being left to the Reparation Commission by any means, but necessarily the Commission is the chief source from which information is obtained, and the advice which it gives is of very great importance.