§ 38. Dr. CHAPPLEasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has made any representations to the Reparation Commission that the Government is prepared to take large quantities of potash for the purposes of agriculture as payments on account of reparations?
§ Major BOYD-CARPENTERI have been asked to reply, as the Treasury is responsible for all communications to the Reparation Commission. Certain quantities of potash salts were supplied by Germany in 1919 to enable her to obtain credits for foodstuffs, and were distributed on the advice of the Ministry of Agriculture. As the value involved in the quantities likely to be required by this country was small in comparison with the total of reparations, and there were considerable difficulties in operating a satisfactory method of distribution, no further quantities were taken. I am to add that it would not be consistent with the policy of His Majesty's Government on reparations to demand large additional deliveries in kind. On this point I would refer the hon. Member to Command Paper 1812, page 115 and page 173.
§ Dr. CHAPPLEIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the question is not as to what relation the quantity received will hear to the total reparation, but whether the supply for agricultural purposes will be made more available for the agricultural industry of the country?
§ Major BOYD-CARPENTERI think if the hon Gentleman reads my reply he will see that it deals with that question.