HC Deb 24 July 1922 vol 157 cc33-5
31. Colonel NEWMAN

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that the recent international conference of bankers was abortive owing to the atmosphere at the Conference of Genoa and the time at which its draft proposals were made public, he will consider when the Russian situation has been either dealt with or postponed, an invitation to the Conference to reassemble in either London or New York and renew its deliberations?

Sir R. HORNE

I would remind my hon. and gallant Friend that the Committee of Bankers to which, I think, he refers, was appointed by the Reparation Commission and not by His Majesty's Government, and was adjourned owing to the absence of unanimity among the Powers represented on the Reparation Commission. It is possible, however, that the question is intended to refer to the Conference of Central Banks which it was decided at Genoa to hold in London in due course. If so, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for the East Division of Leyton on the 17th instant.

Colonel NEWMAN

When this Commission does re-assemble, will the Russian situation be put on one side altogether?

Sir R. HORNE

I really do not understand my hon. Friend upon this matter. No banking commission that I know of has been affected in the very slightest by anything that has taken place at Genoa, or anything that has to do with Russia. Therefore, I fail to follow the question which the hon. Member is asking.

Colonel NEWMAN

Is it not a fact that the Bankers' Conference could not arrive at any decision; that they were not unanimous upon anything, and that they failed?

Sir H. HORNE

That has nothing to do with the Russian question. They met in Paris. They put a certain question to the French Prime Minister upon one of the matters which would affect their judgment. The representatives on the Reparation Commission were not unanimous upon the topic, and therefore the Bankers' Conference ceased to sit, and gave their reasons. It has nothing to do with Genoa and nothing to do with Russia.

Lord ROBERT CECIL

Is there any prospect of the Bankers' Conference being re-assembled?

Sir R. HORNE

The Noble Lord knows the conditions on which they separated. If an approach were made to them from the source which caused the separation, I do not know what might happen.