§ 51. Mr. CRAVEN-ELLISasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in view of the statement made to diplomatic representatives in Washington by the Government of the United States of America to the effect that token payments on War debts would constitute default, will he inform the United States of America that this country is agreeable to pay the debt instalment in full if they will accept British goods and services and, failing this offer being accepted, inform them that no further payments can be made under the present arrangements?
§ 52. Mr. LAMBERTasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, seeing that token payments on account of the American debt were made conditionally on a revision of the debt arrangements, and that now the British Government is regarded in America as a defaulting Government, any further token payment will be made?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe question of the War debt is, of course, receiving the close attention of His Majesty's Government, but I am not at present in a position to make any statement on the subject.
§ Mr. LAMBERTSeeing that the American Congress has met, will my right hon. Friend permit the House of Commons to express its opinion before any further payment is made?
§ Mr. MACQUISTENWill the right hon. Gentleman also call the attention of the United States to the fact that the Southern States of America owe us a much bigger sum, repudiated after the Civil War, and that it should be set off against any debt, with interest, owing by us?