HC Deb 03 July 1924 vol 175 cc1500-1
52. Sir F. WISE

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what is the amount received from the German Government for April and May by the Reparation Commission; and how much went to the credit of Britain?

Mr. GRAHAM

The Reparation Commission have published full accounts up to 31st December, 1922, and have issued to the Press figures bringing the accounts (as regards the most important items) up to 31st December, 1923, but I regret that the information as regards later months is not available at present. It will no doubt be published by the Reparation Commission in due course.

Mr. NEVILLE CHAMBERLAIN

Does the Financial Secretary to the Treasury then not know how much money has been placed to the Credit of the British Government during these months?

Mr. GRAHAM

Yes. We do know, for example, that there was a sum of about £300,000 under the Reparation (Recovery) Act., and a round sum of, perhaps, £100,000 in paper marks due for the Army, but the difficulty about making statements of that kind is that they are subject to deduction and qualification, and I think they are apt to be misleading.

Sir F. WISE

If we are not kept in touch, anyhow monthly, with the amount which comes to our credit, and if an amount does come to the credit of the British Government, does it go to our credit in Paris or in London?

Mr. A. M. SAMUEL

Does some of it go to the credit of the British Clearing House for Enemy Debts? If so, will the hon. Gentleman arrange for the issue of a White Paper to show what we have received?

Mr. GRAHAM

I cannot reply to the last two points without further investigation. We do know, roughly, of course, what is credited, but that is subject to the difficulty which I indicated in reply to the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Ladywood (Mr. N. Chamberlain) that it is subject to deductions in what, I think, every hon. Member will agree is a very complicated situation on the Continent. I will consider the point the hon. Member has put in regard to a, White Paper.

Sir F. WISE

Does that amount lie to our credit in Paris, or does it come to London?

Mr. KIRKWOOD

I would like to know how much of this money is to go to raise the standard of living of the working people in this country.