§ 3. Sir C. COBBasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the composition made in 1922–23 by the Mexican Government with its British creditors has been faithfully observed up to date; and, if not, will he inform the financial representative of the Mexican Government that His Majesty's Government takes note of the default?
§ 4. Mr. KEENSasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will request His Majesty's representative in Mexico to ask the Mexican Government to give the reason for the partial default in their obligations to British creditors under the debt agreement?
§ 5. Sir ROBERT NEWMANasked the Secretary of State for. Foreign Affairs whether, seeing that a composition with British creditors was entered into by the Mexican Government about a year or more ago, the Mexican Government has honoured its obligations under its agreement?
§ 11. Sir PHILIP PILDITCHasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether General Obregon has, either wholly or in part, repudiated the 1922 debt agreement made by the Mexican Government with British creditors; and will he obtain definite information on the matter from the Mexican authorities?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Ponsonby)I am informed that the sum of money which the Mexican Government should deposit under the agreement reached with the International Bankers' Committee is considerably in arrear, largely, I understand, on account of the revolutionary movements in Mexico. It must, I think, be left to the Committee in the first instance to press the Mexican Government to carry out the agreement properly.
Mr. SAMUELDoes the hon. Gentleman think commercial men would be justified in taking any risks in opening up an export trade with Mexico in face of this disclosure that the Mexican Government does not keep its agreements?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe Government do not control the commercial men.
§ Major Sir BERTRAM FALLEIs there any lack of qualified diplomatists in this country that this gentleman, who does not belong to the Service, is or was chosen to represent us in the great country of Mexico?
§ Mr. PONSONBYI do not think that arises out of the question.
10. Mr. SAMUELfurther asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will request the British representative now proceeding to Mexico for the purpose of investigating matter connected with recognition, to make a Report upon the conduct of the Mexican Government with regard to the recent readjustment of their debts to British subjects under the agreement of June July, 1922; will the representative report whether the terms of that readjustment are being, and will be, punctually carried out; and whether His Majesty's Government proposes to give recognition to Mexico if the Mexican Government is unlikely to meet punctually its obligations under the readjustment scheme?
§ Mr. PONSONBYIn the existing situation in Mexico it is impossible for me to give a sufficient reply to the hon. Member's question except in so far as it is covered by the reply which I have already given this afternoon to the hon. Member for Fulham and other hon. Members.
Mr. SAMUELIf and when the present dispute is happily settled, does the Foreign Office intend to remain supine, in face of the dishonourable action of the Mexican Government in not meeting its engagements towards £150,000,000 of British money invested?
§ Mr. PONSONBYThe Foreign Office is never supine.