§ 38. Mr. A. M. SAMUELasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the Rumanian Government is about to ask the British public to subscribe to a loan; that the Rumanian Government has not honoured its obligations to British holders of the Rumanian Government 1898 4 per cent. bonds, in that the Rumanian Government is paying interest to British subjects in depreciated francs, and not in gold lei, in accordance with the undertaking printed on the coupons of the 1898 bonds, and is not maintaining the sinking fund on this loan; will he request the Rumanian Minister to state whether the Rumanian Government will honour its obligations to British holders of the 1898 4 per cent. bonds; and will he, for the protection of British investors, see that the Rumanian Government's reply appears before any new Rumanian loan is issued in London?
§ Mr. McNEILLThe loan referred to has been issued. As regards the second and third parts of the question, I have already stated in reply to a previous 958 question by the hon. Member for Exeter on 12th March last that negotiations between the Rumanian Government and His Majesty's Government have resulted in the appointment of a special Rumanian Commission to investigate the claims of British holders. In reply to the last part, as the Rumanian loan referred to has already been issued, I cannot give the assurance suggested by the hon. Member, nor would it appear to have been necessary in any case, since subscribers to the loan are no doubt fully informed of all circumstances affecting the credit of the Rumanian Government.
§ Mr. SAMUELWill the Government, on the appointment of this Commission, go into the question with the Rumanian Government, with the view of getting them to honour their obligations to the earlier British subscribers to the loan?
§ Mr. McNEILLI cannot say without notice exactly how the matter stands at present. If my hon. Friend will put down a question, I will answer it.