§ 79. Sir F. WISEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the percentage of the total cost of the Armies of Occupation and the Reparation Commission, etc., compared to the net amount received by the Allies?
Mr. GUINNESSApproximately, 33 per cent. of the total receipts due to the Allied Governments out of the first Dawes Annuity will be absorbed by costs of Armies of Occupation and Inter-Allied Commissions, the armies accounting for 30 per cent. and the commissions for 3 per cent. of the total charge. The amounts to be allotted out of the future annuities are not yet settled, but I trust that it will be possible to secure a substantial reduction of the above charge.
§ Sir F. WISEIs the right hon. Gentleman going into this question of a reduction at once?
Mr. GUINNESSWe went into it a great deal in Paris in January. As the hon. Baronet knows, the arrangement there arrived at was a temporary one, and will shortly be reviewed, and naturally as far as we, who are only one party to the bargain can do so, we are doing what is in our power to get down the costs.
§ Sir F. WISESurely the other parties to the arrangement will agree when they know that it is costing £1 out of £3?
Captain BENNWhat would be the saving effected by the evacuation of the Cologne area under the terms of the Treaty?