HC Deb 26 May 1924 vol 174 cc16-7
15. Sir FREDRIC WISE

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the attitude of the French Government in regard to the rights of the Ottoman debt bondholders since their occupation of Syria?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Arthur Ponsonby)

My right hon. Friend is unable to attend to-day, owing to official duties, and he has asked me to reply.

I regret that His Majesty's Government have no information as to the attitude of the French Government in this matter.

Sir F. WISE

May I ask whether the Under-Secretary can find out whether the English holders are treated in the same way as the French holders?

Mr. PONSONBY

I will ask my right hon. Friend about that.

Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

Are we to understand from the Under-Secretary's reply that this Government is going to make direct representation to the Turkish Government, not in concert with the French Government, and is it not much better that the Allies as a whole should act together in this matter, rather than act separately?

19. Lieut. - Colonel HOWARD - BURY

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the Turkish Government have modified the status of the public debt without consultation with the bondholders, and that this action in effect repudiates the degree of Mohurran; and whether His Majesty's Government propose to take any action in the matter?

Mr. PONSONBY

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part of the question, I understand that negotiations on the matter are still proceeding between the Council for the Administration of the Ottoman Public Debt and the Turkish Government. Should these negotiations prove unsuccessful, His Majesty's Government will consider, in concert with the other Governments concerned, what action it may be desirable to take with a view to the protection of the interests involved.

Lieut.-Colonel HOWARD-BURY

Is it not the fact that no provision has been made in the Turkish Budget of this year for the service of this debt, and at the same time the assigned resources are being eaten away?