HC Deb 31 July 1924 vol 176 c2231
45. Lieut.-Colonel JAMES

asked the Prime Minister whether it is a part of the scheme which the Government is advocating, in connection with the Dawes Report, to denationalise the German State railways and hand them over to private enterprise?

The LORD PRIVY SEAL (Mr. Clynes)

I must refer the hon. and gallant Member to the terms of the Dawes Report itself, which has already been laid before Parliament. His Majesty's Government are simply concerned with the application of that Report in its entirety, and cannot make themselves responsible for any one detail apart from the plan as a whole.

Lieut.-Colonel JAMES

Am I right in assuming, therefore, that the Government concur in the proposal indicated in the question?

Mr. CLYNES

I am taking the Report as a whole.

46. Major the Marquess of TITCHFIELD

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government has considered the petition of the National Union of Manufacturers and is prepared to appoint a committee to examine the effect which the adoption of the Dawes scheme may have on British industry and unemployment?

Mr. CLYNES

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and to the second part in the negative.

Lieut.-Colonel HOWARD-BURY

Is it not the case that reparations can only be paid by excess of exports?