§ 73. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will inquire as to the proportion of the interest on bonds of the Guaranteed Ottoman Loan of 1855 now paid to British residents, so that the French Government may pay their share to their own nationals and relieve us of our obligation in the matter?
Mr. SAMUELI fear that it would not be practicable to adopt this suggestion. The bonds in question are bearer bonds and, as the right hon. and gallant Member will appreciate, it would therefore be a matter of extreme difficulty to ascertain where they are held or to differentiate between bondholders of different nationalities.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIs the hon. Member content to continue to allow this country to bear absolutely on its shoulders a burden which should be borne jointly by ourselves and the French Government? How much longer is it to continue?
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIt arises out of the question. Does the hon. Gentleman intend to take any steps to see where the dividends on these bearer bonds are paid—whether it is in France to French accounts, or here to British accounts, and to distinguish accordingly?
Mr. SAMUELI think they are payable in London, but I am not sure. For obvious reasons, it would be utterly impossible for us to distinguish in the manner desired by the right hon. and gallant Gentleman.