§ 23. Mr. Gammansasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has made, or will make, representations to the Government of the U.S.S.R. regarding the payment of interest on the 5 per cent. bonds of the city of Vilna for the benefit of foreign bondholders in this country.
§ Mr. MayhewThe Soviet authorities have consistently declined to meet any such obligations connected with the territories which they took over in 1939 and 1940. His Majesty's Government have made a general reservation of their right to claim compensation for the damage done to British interests in these territories, and the question of the Vilna bonds will not be overlooked when the time comes to make a general settlement of British claims and Soviet counterclaims connected with that area.
§ Mr. GammansDoes that answer mean that as a result of the seizure of these Baltic Republics these loans have been repudiated? What are the Government going to do to protect the interests of the people in this country who lent money to Vilna in good faith some years ago?
§ Mr. MayhewWhen the time comes to make a general settlement of these questions the Vilna bonds will be taken into consideration.