§ 28. Lieut. - Colonel HOWARD - BURYasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has any information with regard to the report that the French Government have taken the initiative for a funding arrangement. as regards their debt to the United States; whether the French Government have approached His Majesty's Government on a similar subject: and whether he will see that this country obtains as good terms from France as are agreed to between France and the United States?
§ Mr. SNOWDENThe answer to the first. two parts of the question is in the negative, and the third part, therefore, does not at present arise.
§ 34. Sir F. WISEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the Belgian Government has made any payments on account of war or relief debts to the United States?
§ Mr. SNOWDENAs the answer contains several figures, I am circulating it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following is the answer:
§ The last available Report of the Secretary of the United States Treasury states that up to 15th November, 1923, Belgium had repaid $2,003,659.21 on account of principal of war debt, and $53,971.16 on account of principal of obligations representing sales of war material to Belgium.
312 No payment in respect of interest on war debt has been made since 15th May, 1919, but interest amounting to $5,554,031.24 was paid up to 15th November, 1923, on obligations representing sales of war material. I may add that Belgium is paying interest to this country on her relief advance of £9,000,000.