HC Deb 22 July 1925 vol 186 cc2211-2
84. Mr. LOUGHER

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can give Returns showing the total amount Germany has paid in reparations to each of the Allies in money and kind to the end of June last?

The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Guinness)

As regards the period up to 31st August, 1924, I am not in a position to give the figures asked for pending the completion of the distribution accounts covering the period of the Ruhr occupation which are being drawn up by the Reparation Commission under Articles 11 and 12 of the Agreement of 14th January, 1925 (Command Paper 2339). I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT a Return of the payments made by the Agent-General for Reparations to or for the account of the Allies during the period 1st September, 1924, to 30th June, 1925.

Following is the Return:

Payments made by the Agent-General for Reparation Payments from 1st September, 1924, to 30th June, 1925, to or for the account of the Powers specified:

Gold Marks.
British Empire … 165,930,858.40
France … 325,506,390.01
Italy … 51,739,283.07
Belgium … 78,313,022.56
Japan … 3,711,459.46
Serbia … 23,971,559.50
Portugal … 4,054,248.39
Roumania … 6,218,355.03
Greece … 2,225,731.14
Poland … 40,179.12

In accordance with the Dawes plan these payments cover not only reparation proper, but all obligations of the German Government under the Peace Treaty.

85. Sir F. WISE

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much the United States of America has received from the Reparation Commission on account of the amount due for the cost of the Army of Occupation, etc.?

Mr. GUINNESS

The gross costs of the United States Army of Occupation amounted to approximately £61 millions. As against this total, the United States Army requisitioned paper marks during the occupation to a value of approximately £7,750,000, and took over material surrendered by the German Government at the Armistice to a value of £1,040,000. The net costs due at the termination of their occupation were therefore slightly more than £53,000,000. Under Article 3 of the Agreement of 14th January, 1925 (Command Paper 2339), the United States retained a sum of 14,725,154 dollars (say, £3,044,000) derived from the sanctions in the Ruhr and deposited by the Belgian Government in New York, on account of their outstanding Army costs, and the balance of their claim is to be met by annual payments of 55 million gold marks (say, £2,750,000) out of the Dawes annuities, beginning from 1st September, 1926, and subject to the conditions laid down in the Article referred to.

Sir W. SUGDEN

Are we to understand that the United States in respect of reparation money is being treated as a preferential creditor?

Mr. GUINNESS

The United States has a prior charge for the arrears of its Army costs, after payments in connection with the German loan and the costs of commissions. It also retains the sum of money lodged by Belgium.

Mr. SPENCER

Is it not the fact that Great Britain is coming in at the tail end in all these reparation accounts?