§ 36. Mr. BARRasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the last payment was received by Great Britain on account of Bulgarian reparations; what was the amount thereof and what sum is due on the next payment; and whether His Majesty's Government, in view of the great financial strain which Bulgaria is undergoing in consequence of the earthquakes, will consider the desirability of returning these payments, or making some remission thereof, to the Bulgarian Government?
Mr. SAMUELBulgarian Reparation payments are made to the Inter-Allied Commission at Sofia, and not to individual Governments. The last payment made was a sum of five million gold francs (200,000) on 1st April, 1028, and the next instalment due is a further five million gold francs on 1st October, 1928. As regards the remainder of the Question I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for the Brightside Division (Mr. Ponsonby) yesterday.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIn considering any remission of Bulgaria's debt will the hon. Gentleman consider also the advisability of setting free the prisoners who are interned and giving them an amnesty for their past so-called offences?
§ Mr. MACKINDERHow many Powers have agreed to do as was suggested in the answer given yesterday?
Mr. SAMUELI cannot give the last hon. Gentleman who spoke a definite 1200 answer, but I can say that under Article 122 of the Treaty of Neuilly at this moment the Inter-Allied Commission is considering the question.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the present Government of Bulgaria is in effect a Fascist Government?