§ 31. Mr. LAMBERTasked the Prime Minister if he will afford an opportunity for discussion by this House of the propriety of further payments of War Debts being made by, without a corresponding payment of debts due to, Great Britain?
§ Captain MARGESSONNo question of further payments in respect of the British War Debt will arise until next December. It would be premature at present to say anything as regards affording an opportunity for further discussion of the matter by this House.
§ Mr. LAMBERTDoes the right hon. Gentleman recollect that the Members of this House have had no opportunity 1170 of discussing this matter; and, while the American Congress has the final word, may not the Members of the House of Commons express their opinion as well?
§ Captain MARGESSONThe statement made by the Chancellor of the Exchequer the other night, I think, received the unanimous approval of the House.
§ Mr. LAMBERTIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that then we simply had to endorse the bargain made by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and we had no opportunity of expressing any opinion on the larger question of further payments?
§ Captain MARGESSONI can only say at the moment that the Government consider that it would be premature in the circumstances.
§ Mr. MAXTONDoes that mean that the six months which the Chancellor of the Exchequer bargained for and obtained is to be allowed to pass before we begin to consider the problem of further instalments?
§ Captain MARGESSONNo, Sir; quite the contrary.