§ 14. Mr. Bellengerasked the Prime Minister whether he has any information to give the House regarding the terms of the German-Italian agreements regulating the financial questions arising out of the Austro-German union?
§ Mr. ButlerI have no information beyond the announcement made in the German Press on 29th May, to the effect that the German and Italian Governments concluded on the 28th a number of treaties and agreements by which all economic questions arising out of the union of Austria and the German Reich had been settled.
§ Mr. BellengerAs Italy was a guarantor with ourselves of this loan to Austria, and some arrangement apparently has been made between Italy and Germany, does the hon. Member not think it necessary, as it has some bearing on the 2013 negotiations between ourselves and Germany, to find out something of what happened on 28th May, which included the financial agreement with Germany?
§ Mr. ButlerI have given all the information in my possession. As regards the detailed question put, I would require notice.
§ Mr. BellengerDo the Government think it entirely unnecessary to endeavour to ascertain all the terms of the agreement between Italy and Germany?
§ Mr. ButlerNo, Sir, but in view of the terms of the question put by the hon. Member, I said I would like notice of it, in order to be able to give it proper consideration.
§ Mr. ThorneIs it not the fact that, according to the report in the papers, Germany absolutely refuses to recognise her monetary obligations?