§ 32. Mr. LEWISasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the sums borrowed by this country from the United States of America for war purposes were applied to the purchase of goods in America or whether they were to any considerable extent used to transfer gold or currency to this country?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHANo part of the sums borrowed by this country from the United States of America for war purposes was used to transfer gold or currency to this country. A purchase from the United States of America of silver to the extent of 8122 millions for use in India was made out of loan moneys, but that indebtedness was paid off in full as a separate transaction in the years 1921 to 1923.
§ 33. Mr. LEWISasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take the opportunity afforded by the discussion on war debts due to the United States of America to raise again the question of the unsettled claims of British bondholders against various individual American states?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAHis Majesty's Government do not propose to adopt this course.
§ Mr. LEWISIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee and the Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee of Congress, who have both expressed the view that this country should pay its war debts in full, are representatives of the State of Mississippi, which does not honour its obligations?
§ 34. Mr. LEWISasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how the total war debt, which we now owe to the United States of America, compares with the amount which would be owing if no interest had beep charged on account of any of the sums lent?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAThe aggregate amount of the 52 annuities outstanding in respect of the British War Debt to the United States Government under the existing agreement is about 9,790 million dollars. Of this, 4,398 million dollars represent repayment of capital, and the rest interest. The amount which would be owing if no interest had been charged on any of the sums lent is 2,385 million dollars.
§ Mr. LEWISWill the hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of suggesting to the United States that they should be satisfied with repayment in full of all moneys borrowed and should forgo their claim to interest as a part of their contribution towards the common effort of the Allies?