§ 28. Captain Marsdenasked the Secreraty of State for Foreign Affairs if he will now say when the Siamese Government will recommence payment of interest to British bondholders, together with arrears of interest due since 1941; what is the total amount of the loan held in this country; and what sterling balances Siam has in this country from which such payments could be made.
§ Mr. MayhewThe Siamese Government have now made arrangements for payments to individual bondholders of all arrears including interest since 1941, to commence on 1st March, out of funds made available for this purpose by releases from the prewar Siamese sterling balances held by the United Kingdom Custodian. Once these payments have been completed the Royal Siamese Government 4½ per cent. Sterling Loan of 1907 will have been fully paid. Of the 4 per cent. Royal Siamese Government Sterling Conversion Loan of 1936, £177,950 is all that will remain due to be redeemed under the terms of the original loan issue.
§ Mr. KeelingWill the Foreign Office show a similar sympathetic interest for British holders of Japanese bonds?
§ Mr. MayhewThat is another question.