HC Deb 09 May 1929 vol 227 cc2309-12
14. Colonel GRETTON

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if a statement can be made in regard to the negotiations for settling the payments by Germany under the Treaty of Versailles; and if the Government will undertake not to agree to any arrangement which would entail further or increased charges upon British taxpayers?

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. Churchill)

I will reply to this question and to the question of which the right hon. and gallant Gentleman the Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Colonel Wedgwood) has given Private Notice.

Mr. THURTLE

Is that in order?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I do not know whether the right hon. Gentleman will read his question; my answer covers both questions.

Mr. SPEAKER

If it will give the right hon. and gallant Gentleman any satisfaction, I have no objection to his reading it.

Mr. THURTLE

On a point of Order, is it in order for questions which have not been put down in the ordinary way to be answered before questions which have been put down?

Mr. SPEAKER

Strictly speaking, it would not be in order to do that, but, as hon. Members are aware, the right hon. Gentleman gave notice that a reply would be given to-day to a Private Notice Question which was put yesterday by the right hon. and gallant Member, so that it would be reasonable to give a little latitude.

Colonel WEDGWOOD (by Private Notice)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the terms of reference to the Reparations Committee cover alterations in the Spa percentages; and whether he has informed our representative on the Committee of the views of His Majesty's Government on these alterations?

Mr. CHURCHILL

The Committee of Experts now sitting in Paris is composed of independent representatives of the various countries concerned. We have, of course, kept in touch with the British members throughout these protracted proceedings and have been impressed by their admirable grasp and comprehension of the whole position. We have not, however, at any time sent definite instructions to these gentlemen, nor do we propose to do so on this occasion. The Expert Committee must be left to reach their own conclusions. These conclusions, whatever they may be and whether agreed or not, in no way commit His Majesty's Government, which remains entirely free to review the whole position and to take their own decisions upon the work and recommendations of the Expert Committee. It is clear, therefore, that no urgency exists, and that it would be premature as well as inexpedient for His Majesty's Government to pronounce upon particular aspects, however important they may be, at the present juncture.

However, Sir, in order to prevent misconception abroad and alarm at home, it is perhaps desirable that I should say that the kind of proposals which were foreshadowed in the newspapers of yesterday would, in our opinion, be in-acceptable, and that His Majesty's Government would in no circumstances entertain them.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he will answer the question which I put as to whether the terms of reference to the Reparations Committee covered the question of the alteration of the Spa percentages? It will be within the memory of the House that when the right hon. Gentleman read the terms to the House, they did not cover any alteration in the allocation of the money. Secondly, there has been in the papers an estimate by the French that this alteration would cost this country £100,000,00 in capital. I gather from the right hon. Gentleman's answer that £100,000,000 is more than he can stand, and may I ask whether there is any guarantee from the Government at present that this country will not be committed by the experts' report—[HON. MEMBERS: "He said so!"]—that we shall not be committed to any gift from this country to the French Government and to the French tax-paper, even though it be a less sum than £100,000,000?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I have read to the House an answer to the question of my right hon. and gallant Friend below the Gangway, and to the question of the right hon. and gallant entleman himself, which has been most carefully and gravely considered, and it is an answer, I think, of some importance. I do not desire in any way to add to that reply.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

But surely we ought to know—

HON. MEMBERS

Order!

Mr. SPEAKER

I think that on a subject of this kind, we ought not to pursue the matter any further at Question Time.

Mr. B. SMITH

Can the right hon. Gentleman say if and when tentative arrangements are made, the House will be—[Interruption.]

Mr. SPEAKER

"If and when" is a bad preface to a supplementary question.