HC Deb 01 May 1929 vol 227 cc1544-5
27. Colonel WEDGWOOD

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much money the taxpayers of this country have paid in all so far as interest on the Turkish loan of 1855 guaranteed by England and France; how much money the taxpayers of France have paid for the same purpose; and, if the amounts are not equal, what does he propose to do to rectify the matter?

Mr. SAMUEL

The sums advanced by His Majesty's Government to provide interest on the Ottoman Guaranteed Loan of 1855 have now been repaid in full by the Egyptian Government in accordance with the Agreement of 17th March, 1929 (Command Paper 3305). Accordingly the remainder of the question does not arise.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

Are we to understand that the British taxpayers have not paid any of this interest, and when was it that the Egyptian Government paid back this money?

Mr. SAMUEL

No, Sir. The details are in Command Paper 3305. The agreement was signed on 17th March, and we received over £328,000 about eight days later.