§ 4. Sir CYRIL COBBasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that, according to the notice issued on 12th July by the Council of Foreign Bondholders, representing British holders of debts of the old Austro-Hungarian monarchy, no arrangements have yet been made about the Hungarian Four per cent. Consolidated State Rentes, 1910, held by British subjects; will he inquire of the Reparation Commission what the cause is for the delay in fixing the percentage of contributions to be distributed to the bondholders by the Caisse Commune in accordance with the Protocol of Innsbruck and the Accord of Prague; and will he instruct the British representative on the Reparation Commission to urge the fixing of the contributions without further delay, having regard to the fact that the negotiations have been in progress since 4th June, 1921?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Ronald McNeill)With regard to the first and second parts of the hon. Member's question, I am informed that the Reparation Commission has completed the arrangements for distributing the liability for the Hungarian Four per cent. Consolidated State Rentes, 1910, with the exception of the adjustment provided for in the third paragraph of Article 4 of the Agreement signed at Prague on the 14th November, 1925. As this adjustment depends upon certain operations, for the completion of which the Article referred to lays down a time limit as recent as 1st July, 1920, the full data which would enable the adjustment to be effected have not yet reached the Reparation Commission. It is, however, anticipated that the Reparation Commission will be in a position to complete its task under this Article in the near future. The British 2080 Delegate on the Reparation Commission is doing his utmost to expedite the matter.