HC Deb 28 June 1922 vol 155 cc2035-6
1 and 2. Major C. LOWTHER

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) whether the British members of the Mixed Claims Commission to be set up in Mexico have yet been appointed;

(2) whether, in view of the fact that an agreement has been entered into between the Mexican Finance Minister and the International Committee of Bondholders in the matter of Mexican external obligations, that the claims of British subjects against the Mexican Government may be submitted to a Mixed Commission, and that the country is governed in a peaceable and constitutional manner, there are any further obstacles to recognition by His Majesty's Government of the Mexican Government; and, if so. what are they?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Cecil Harmsworth)

I have not yet received particulars of the agreement reached between the Mexican Authorities and the International Committee, and am, therefore, unable to express any opinion on this point at the moment. The Mexican Government have forwarded to His Majesty's Government revised proposals for an agreement for the establishment of a Claims Commission, and these proposals are now being examined. Until this agreement has been finally negotiated, no appointments to the Commission can be made.

Major LOWTHER

Is it a fact that so long ago as last October, in all essentials, the proposals of the Government as to the Mixed Claims Commission were agreed upon by the Mexican Government, and why is it necessary to draw this matter out so?

Mr. HARMSWORTH

I do not think there has been any avoidable delay in the matter.

Major LOWTHER

With regard to the agreement arrived at with the bankers and the Mexican Government, would it not be perfectly possible to obtain a copy of the agreement from the many representatives of the bankers in this country?

Mr. HARMSWORTH

I will inquire about that. I should think it extremely probable that we have a copy at the Foreign Office, but I have not seen it myself.