96. Major-General Sir R. HUTCHISONasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the recent isolation of the area of British occupation on the Rhine and the consequent difficulty of obtaining paper marks, he will now take steps to allay the sense of grievance caused to our troops on the Rhine by their payment in an unstable foreign paper currency?
§ Captain KINGMy right hon. Friend does not anticipate any difficulty in obtaining marks from the German Government for British requirements in the occupied area; and he is not prepared to alter the present system of paying the troops locally in local currency. He is considering with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War whether it is possible to adjust the official rate of exchange more rapidly.
Captain ARTHUR EVANSHas the hon. and gallant Gentleman considered whether it is legal to pay distant soldiers in a foreign currency, especially when the rate paid is not equal to the commercial rate in that currency?
§ Mr. JARRETTIs it not a fact that officers of the Rhine Army are paid in sterling, and is there any real reason why the men should not be so paid?
§ Captain KINGMy hon. Friend has all these points in mind, and has been considering them.
§ Sir R. HUTCHISONIn view of the unsatisfactory answer received from the hon. and gallant Gentleman, I beg to give notice I will raise this matter on the adjournment of the House on Thursday.