§ 19. Mr. CRAVEN-ELLISasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the harm done by the payment of War debts to international trade when gold was the basis of the monetary system of all the countries concerned, he will inform the Government of the United States of America that it is not in the best interests of international trade for the present position of War debts to continue; and will he make an offer to pay the American Government in goods and services and, failing this offer being accepted, inform them that no further payments can be made under the present arrangement?
§ The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. Chamberlain)I do not think that I can usefully make any further statement in regard to the British War Debt.
§ Mr. CRAVEN-ELLISHave the Government any intention of making any offer in the near future to America?
§ Mr. CHAMBERLAINI cannot add anything to what I have said.