§ 70. Mr. HARRISasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that a large amount of scrap iron has been imported for the first time from France during the last 12 months; that this consists of steel rails supplied by the British Government during the War to help France during her military operations; and, seeing that no payment was made for these rails, whether he proposes to put in a claim for the value?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Pethick-Lawrence)I am aware of the imports of scrap iron from France during the last 12 months, which are, however, considerably less than the average of the years 1920 to 1924. I have no information as to what part, if any, of this scrap iron consists of steel rails supplied by the British Government during the War. In reply to the last part of the question, the Agreement for the Funding of the French War Debt to Great Britain constitutes a final settlement of all claims in respect of supplies made to the French Government by the British Government during the War.