HC Deb 24 March 1925 vol 182 cc248-9
79. Mr. LOUGHER

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he has any official information showing that the German Government has recently concluded an agreement with the Italian Government under which a quantity of German coal will be supplied to the Italian State Railways over a period of years; if so, if he will say whether such an arrangement involves reparation coals; and whether data are available giving the quantity which will be sold upon a commercial basis?

The SECRETARY for MINES (Colonel Lane-Fox)

Yes, Sir. The agreement is made under the procedure contemplated by the London Protocol of August, 1924, in accordance with which reparation deliveries may be made on commercial conditions. Under this procedure, if the agreement is approved by the Reparation Commission and Transfer Committee, who, I understand, have not yet considered it, the deliveries will be charged against Italy's current share in the Dawes Annuity. The whole of the deliveries provided for in the agreement, namely, a minimum quantity of 170,000 tons per month, are to be made on a commercial basis.

Mr. BATEY

Will the Secretary for Mines state whether this agreement is in addition to the 8,500,000 tons or reparation coal which we have received from Germany?

Colonel LANE-FOX

I think I must have notice of that question.

Mr. BATEY

But that is the question.

Mr. J. JONES

Before the right hon. Gentleman replies, may I ask him if he realises that the effect of the commercial terms about which he talks mean longer hours and lower wages for the German miner, where he can cut the ground from underneath the feet of the British miner, and you have agreed to it?

Mr. CONNOLLY

Is it not a fact that the London Protocol modifies Section 9 of the Peace Treaty and the amount of the reparations and can he say what amount of reparation coal is being supplied to Italy at the present time?

Colonel LANE-FOX

Obviously I ought to have notice of that question.