HC Deb 02 October 1924 vol 177 cc299-300
48. Lieut. - Colonel POWNALL

asked the Prime Minister whether, under the terms of the Treaty with the Soviet Government, the balance of the sums lent to Russia during the War, which still remains lying in banks in that country, will be paid over to the Soviet authorities; and what is the total of such balance?

Mr. PONSONBY

I presume that the hon. and gallant Member means banks in this country. The disposal of this money is governed by Article 10 of the Trade Agreement which, by Article 14 of the General Anglo-Soviet Treaty, is maintained in force until the coming into force of the second Treaty referred to in Article 11. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Erdington (Sir A. Steel-Maitland) on the 7th of July last.

Sir LAMING WORTHINGTON-EVANS

Can the Under-Secretary tell us what is the amount?

Mr. PONSONBY

In the answer to the hon. Gentleman the Member for Erdington, the Prime Minister mentioned the amount at approximately £4,000,000.

Sir F. WISE

Was any part of that amount gold taken by Germany from Russia at the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk?

Mr. PONSONBY

No, Sir.

Mr. MACLEAN

Can the Under-Secretary inform the House of the amount of money that has been lodged in British banks by the late Tsarist Government, and whether any of that money still remains to be used on behalf of British creditors of Russia?

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Gentleman had better put that question down.

Mr. MACLEAN

May I point Out—[HON. MEMBERS: "Order! Order!"] I am putting a point of Order. I understand that you, Sir, have said that I should put that question down. May I point out to you, Sir—[HON. MEMBERS: "Order! Order!"]—I am speaking on a point. of Order, and if hon. Gentlemen opposite do not know the procedure of their House, they ought to learn it, or stay away. May I point out to you, Sir, that. I asked your advice upon this same question, and I put it down two days ago to be answered to-day by the Chancellor of the Exchequer. The Clerk at the Table declined to pass it. I tried to convince him last night, and I thought I had convinced him, because he accepted the question from me. It does not, however, appear upon the Paper, and I want to know, since you yourself had told me to put it upon the Paper, whether we are strictly in order according to the procedure of the House?

Mr. SPEAKER

I should like to see the question in writing before I give my opinion upon it.