§ 70. Captain GARRO-JONESasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the present condition of the negotiations with France for the funding of her debt of £620,000,000 to this country?
§ 73. Captain BOURNEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is in a position to make any statement with regard to the recent negotiations with the French Government over the question of their debt to this country?
Mr. GUINNESSOfficial negotiations in regard to the French war debt to this country were commenced on 27th July. After a full exchange of views, the French experts returned to Paris to consult their Government, and I presume that the negotiations will be resumed in due course. I think it would be clearly undesirable for me to make any further statement at the present stage. His Majesty's Government feel convinced that the time has come when this question should be brought to a conclusion.
§ Captain GARRO-JONESIn view of the great candour which French politicians and the French Press display in discussing this subject, is there any great harm in telling the House what is the maximum amount which so far has been offered by France in this matter?
Captain O'CONNORAs there is a great deal of misapprehension in the French Press, is it possible to say whether there has been any acrimonious breaking off of the negotiations?
§ 71. Captain GARRO-JONESasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any negotiations are afoot with Italy on the subject of her debt of £550,000,000 to this country?
Mr. GUINNESSA preliminary exchange of views has taken place between the British and Italian Governments in regard to the settlement of the Italian debt to this country, and I understand that the Italian Government is at present engaged in framing proposals on the subject.
§ Captain GARRO-JONESIn view of the fact that these negotiations seem to be in the preliminary stage both in France and Italy, is it not time for something to be done to bring them to a conclusion? They have been going on for many years now?
§ Sir G. STRICKLANDHas any Ministry authority to negotiate the remission of millions without the authority of Parliament?
§ 72. Sir W. SUGDENasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is now taking, and the result of his efforts to date, to obtain moneys due to the British Exchequer from Belgium, France, Italy, and the other Allies in respect to War loans from Britain to them; and if our claim to equal treatment with the United States of America in the matter of payment is being duly observed or, at any rate, in principle accepted, by all of them?
Mr. GUINNESSAs regards France and Italy, I would refer my hon. Friend to the replies which I have just given to the hon. and gallant Members for South Hackney and Oxford City. The War Debt of Belgium was taken over by Germany under Article 232 of the Treaty of Versailles, and the service of their debt is provided for by a charge on the Dawes Annuities. As regards the other Allies, I have at present nothing to add to the reply which the Chancellor of the Exchequer gave to the hon. Member for Reading on the 7th July. As regards the second part of the question, replies have not yet been received from all the Governments to which the British Note of 26th June was addressed, but I have no reason to suppose that any of the Governments concerned will raise any difficulty in regard to the principle 1361 referred to, which has been adopted by His Majesty's Government as a fundamental basis for any settlement of these war debts.
§ Captain GARRO-JONESIs it not a fact that France has within the last month made a payment of over £2,000,000 to the United States in respect of war debts?
§ Mr. LANSBURYIs it not possible for some official to be made responsible for the collection of these debts?