HC Deb 15 November 1927 vol 210 cc811-2
24. Viscount SANDON

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that Germany pays for the expenses of the Rhine Army and that our contingent is included in the available strength for our general needs, the diminution of our establishment there will result in any saving or increase in expenditure to the Treasury?

The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Arthur Michael Samuel)

The reduction in the numbers of the Allied Armies of Occupation on the Rhine will result in a decrease of the amount allocated out of the Dawes annuities to costs of the Allied Armies of Occupation as a whole, and an equivalent increase in the amount available for distribution as reparations. It is prob- what units have been withdrawn recently; and what units remain in China?

Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANS

I have had a table prepared which, with the right hon. Gentleman's permission, I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. TREVELYAN

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman give a general figure with regard to these troops?

Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANS

They are highly complicated figures with a lot of notes. If I give the figures without the notes, they would only be misleading.

Following is the table:

able that the diminution in receipts on account of the British Army of Occupation will be approximately balanced by the increase in the British share of reparation receipts, but the exact figures are not yet known.