§ 47. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the composition of the proposed Committee on Reparations has now been agreed upon; whether it will be composed of independent financial experts; whether he can give the names of the British representatives; and whether the Dominion Governments will be represented?
50. Mr. BENNasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the terms of reference to the Experts Committee on Reparations; 232 and, in particular, whether it is their duty to determine the amount of the annuities payable to discharge a debt, the aggregate of which is already fixed, or to determine the capacity of Germany to pay?
§ The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. Churchill)The personnel and terms of reference of the proposed Committee have not yet been settled, and, accordingly, I am not at present in a position to make any statement on the matter.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYWill the right hon. Gentleman be in a position to give me a reply on, say, Monday or Tuesday of next week?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI cannot tell, because there are five or six Governments to get into touch with, and it is quite possible that there will be some public announcement of the terms on behalf of those Governments; but, if a question is put on the Paper for Monday, I might be able to give some more information.
Mr. BENNWill this Experts' Committee be appointed by the Reparation Commission under the terms of the Treaty or otherwise?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThat is just one of those subjects on which it would be premature for me to give information.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYI beg to give notice that I will repeat the question on Monday.
§ Mr. STEPHENWill the Dominion Governments be represented?