§ 30. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Prime Minister whether he will consider giving a day to the discussion of the Motion on the Order Paper in the name of the hon. Member for the Central Division of Kingston-upon-Hull on the subject of German reparation payments, especially in view of the fact that no discussion of this matter has been 952 permitted at Genoa—[That, in the opinion of this House, the Reparation Clauses of the Treaty of Versailles have proved to be unworkable in practice and injurious to the trade and commerce of this country; and that these clauses should be revised forthwith]?
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that if the Genoa Conference goes on and we are blocked from discussing this question, very disastrous events may occur in Europe without this House having an opportunity of expressing its opinion?
35. Captain BENNasked the Lord Privy Seal on what date the provisional terms offered by the Reparation Commission to the German Government lapse if not accepted; whether in such an event the London agreement becomes operative; and whether under that agreement the British Government is committed to any joint military measure with France for enforcing the London payments?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe answer to the first part of the question is "the 31st May"; to the second "yes." and to the third "no."
Captain BENNAre we to understand that the sub-paragraph (b) of the London Ultimatum, which threatens the occupation of the Ruhr by British troops, has now lapsed?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINNo, Sir. The hon. and gallant Member will, I hope, understand from my answer exactly what I have said. He asked whether under the agreement the British Government is committed to any joint military measure in France for enforcing the London payments?
Captain BENNIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that we informed the German Government that, failing compliance, we should occupy the Ruhr? Has that threat lapsed or not?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI prefer to confine myself to the answer I have given. The hon. and gallant Member can easily 953 put questions which are very embarrassing to the Government and which it is not easy to answer without injury to the public interest.