§ 21. Mr. H. O'NEILLasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the approximate number of French troops now stationed in the Ruhr as compared with this time last year; and can he say how many are coloured troops?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe total strength of the French army of occupation stationed in the Ruhr on the 1st June of this year was reported to be 536 officers and 15, 290 other ranks as compared with officers 1, 539 and other ranks 49, 706 in July of last year. In regard to the second part of this question, I am informed that there are no coloured units in the French army in the Ruhr.
§ 36. Brigadier-General SPEARSasked the Prime Minister whether he has decided to submit to a committee of experts the 1752 question of the precautions to be taken for the security of the French troops in the Ruhr; and, if so, to what experts does he intend to submit this question?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThis mater is likely to be discussed at the Conference, and pending its decisions I can make no statement in answer to this question.
§ Brigadier-General SPEARSHas the Prime Minister made it quite clear that this does not involve in any way recognition of the legality of the operation?
§ The PRIME MINISTERIt is absolutely useless to put that question, seeing that over and over again statements have been made in this House.
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe answer to that is that it has never begun.