HC Deb 07 June 1934 vol 290 cc1068-9
27. Mr. ANSTRUTHER-GRAY

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will explain the circumstances in which the misunderstanding arose as a result of which the Press were informed of the proposals of His Majesty's Government regarding the American debt settlement before this information was given to Parliament?

The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir John Simon)

In the absence of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, I will with my hon. Friend's assent reply to this question. It had been proposed that this Note should not be published in Washington until 10.30 a.m. Washington time, that is approximately 4.30 p.m. our time, on Tuesday, 5th June. Owing to a misunderstanding in regard to a telegram to His Majesty's Ambassador at Washington the Note was issued there before the time which had been intended.

Mr. ANSTRUTHER-GRAY

Is my right hon. Friend aware that cases of this sort, in which intentionally or unintentionally this House is ignored, weaken the prestige of Parliament, and will the Government therefore take every possible step to prevent a repetition of this unfortunate mistake?

Sir J. SIMON

My original answer shows that whatever occurred in this case was quite unintentional, and I would not agree that any breach of that very good intention is frequent. In the particular instance it was due to a misunderstanding.

Mr. EMMOTT

On the part of whom was it a misunderstanding?

Sir J. SIMON

I should not say there was a misunderstanding on the part of anyone. Perhaps it was due to the fact that in different parts of the world there are different times at the same time.

29. Mr. SHAW

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider

European War Debts to the United States Government.

The following information is taken from the Annual Report of the Secretary of the United States Treasury for the year ended 30th June, 1933 (page 376), and the combined Annual Reports of the World War Foreign Debt Commission, published in 1926 (pages 325 to 327). Postwar advances to Austria, the Baltic States, Finland, Hungary and Poland are omitted; and account is taken of the payments made by certain Governments on 15th December, 1933.

— Cash advances. Total payments received. Net principal outstanding (excluding accrued interest).
($ millions.) ($ millions.) ($ millions.)
United Kingdom … … … 4,277.0 2,024.8 4,368.0*
France … … … 3,404.8 486.1 3,863.6
Italy … … … 1,648.0 100.8 2,004.9
Belgium … … … 379.0 52.2 400.7
Czechoslovakia … … … 62.0 20.1 165.4
Yugoslavia … … … 51.8 2.6 61.6
Rumania … … … 25.0 4.8 63.9
Greece … … … 15.0 3.2 31.5
Russia … … … 187.7 8.7 192.6
Total … … … 10,050.3 2,703.3 11,152.2
* The figure 4,713,785,000 dollars in Command Paper 4609 includes accrued interest up to 15th June, 1934.