§ Mr. G. H. OLIVER(by Private Notice) asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in view of the fact that the existing arrangements with regard to the German Reparation (Recovery) Act were extended until the 15th instant, whether it has been arranged that they will be continued beyond that date?
§ The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. Snowden)His Majesty's Government have agreed with the German Government to extend the existing arrangements by which the levy under the German Reparation (Recovery) Act is fixed at 5 per cent. until the date of the putting into force of the recommendations of the Expert Committee. The relevant provisions of the German Ordinance of the 3rd March against evasion are being similarly extended.
§ Sir PHILIP LLOYD-GREAMEAre we to understand that no time limit is to be put upon this further arrangement? Assuming, which none of us wish to assume, that it is found impracticable to put these recommendations into force, is the Chancellor of the Exchequer going to carry on indefinitely, and irrespective of what may be done by other countries, the remission of this levy?
§ Mr. SNOWDENI think my reply was quite decisive on that point. It was that the existing arrangements will be continued until the putting into force of the recommendations of the Expert Committee.
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEAs I understand it, it is absolutely indefinite. Have Belgium and France arranged to postpone at the same time the analogous arrangements for the payment of deliveries in kind which stand on exactly the same footing as the reparation levy? Have they made similar arrangements for a similar period?
§ Mr. SNOWDENI have no official information on that matter, but I understand that negotiations are now going on in regard to a temporary arrangement.
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEMay we have an assurance from the right hon. Gentleman that, in the matter of reparations, this country is not going to be treated less favourably than our Allies?
§ Mr. SNOWDENI think it cannot be assumed that we have in this matter, at any rate, been treated less favourably than our Allies. I do not think it is necessary to add anything to what I said, but there is no alteration in the arrangements which were in operation on the 15th June. This is simply a continuation of them until the Expert Report comes into operation. I do not share the pessimistic view which the right hon. Gentleman seems to take as to the time which must elapse before the recommendations are carried into effect.
§ Lieut.-Colonel JAMESHas the right hon. Gentleman not yet learned that a large amount of unemployment has already been caused by the remission of these reparation payments?