§ 17. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, since his interpretation of the Three-Power declaration, made on 17th February, he has received any communication from the French Government or from our Minister in Paris indicating that the French share our view of the importance to our liabilities in Austria of the form of government there?
§ Sir J. SIMONNo, Sir. No such communication has been received; nor have His Majesty's Government ever expressed the view attributed to them by the right hon. and gallant Member.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODMay I take it that His Majesty's Government have not stated to the French Government and have not themselves any views as to the drawbacks of autocratic rule in Austria?
§ Sir J. SIMONI meant by my answer, as I am sure my right hon. Friend will appreciate, that it is necessary to distinguish between supporting the independence of a State and expressing particular views as to the particular form of Government which it has.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIs not a large factor in our determination to support the independence of a State the method by which that State is being governed?
§ 18. Mr. D. GRENFELLasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will state the amount of loans made to post-War Governments of Austria under the auspices of the League of Nations; the amount guaranteed by the British Government; and the amounts outstanding to the several countries which contributed?
§ Sir J. SIMONTwo guaranteed loans have been issued by the Austrian Government under the auspices of the League of Nations, namely the Guaranteed Loan, 1923–43, and the International Guaranteed Loan, 1933–53. Full details in regard to the Guaranteed Loan, 1923–43, will be found in the Finance Accounts of the 743 United Kingdom for the Financial Year 1932–33 on page 82. In the case of this loan His Majesty's Government guarantee 24½ per cent. of each issue. I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT the details in regard to the loan of 1933–53, of which His Majesty's Government guarantee the whole of the London issue and nothing else.
§ Mr. GRENFELLWill the right hon. Gentleman inform the House whether the proceeds of these loans are being used to maintain the additional armed forces
| Austrian Government International Guaranteed Loan, 1933–53. | |||
| The amount of the Loan is limited to a total of Gold Sch. 300,000,000. Up to date Issues have been made as follows: | |||
| Country. | Gold Schilling amount. | Original Currency amount. | Outstanding Currency amount. |
| Great Britain (3 per cent.). Issued 10th August, 1933. Guaranteed by His Majesty's Government. | 100,000,000 | £4,514,200 | £4,425,000 |
| France (5½ per cent.). Issued 10th August, 1933. Guaranteed by the French Government. | 100,000,000 | Fcs. 408,125,000 | F. 399,555,000 |
| Italy (5 per cent.). Issued 10th August, 1933. Guaranteed by the Italian Government. | 30,000,000 | Lire 92,750,000 | L. 92,750,000 |
| Switzerland (4 per cent.). No Public Issue. Whole amount taken up by Swiss Government, August, 1933. | 7,400,000 | Sw. F. 5,434,000 | S. F. 5,434,000 |
| Belgium (6½ per cent.). No Public Issue. Whole amount taken up by Belgian Government, November, 1933. | 5,000,000 | Bgas. 5,160,000 | B. 5,160,000 |
| 242,400,000 |
§ 20. Mr. MANDERasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will consider the advisability of bringing to the attention of the Council of the League of Nations the presence in Austria of a private army, known as the Heimwehr, contrary to the provisions of the Peace Treaty, with a view to suitable action being taken?
§ Sir J. SIMONThe Disarmament Conference has under consideration the problem raised by the existence in various countries of political bodies organised on semi-military lines. In these circumstances I do not consider that the hon. Member's suggestion would be practicably helpful.
§ Mr. MANDERDoes my right hon. Friend think it wise that this illegal body
§ which have been employed by the Austrian Government?
§ Sir J. SIMONI do not think I ought to give an answer to that question. I do not recall the precise terms and conditions on which the money was advanced, but obviously, whatever those terms and conditions are, they must be complied with.
§ Mr. HERBERT WILLIAMSWhy are hon. Gentlemen opposite so fond of war, when it is being waged by somebody else?
§ Following are the details:
§ should have a free hand to destroy the democratic institutions of Austria and set up a dictatorship?