§ 50. Mr. William Teelingasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can make any statement on the present position of reparations from Japan; how much has already been paid back to the United Kingdom and to the Colonies; whether in kind, and if he will give details; what percentage of the total payment these advance payments are considered to be; and whether liquid assets are being handed to us as well as to other Allies.
§ The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Sir Stafford Cripps)There has not been so far any effective discussion at the Far Eastern Commission of the division among the claimant countries, of reparations as a whole, nor of liquid assets in particular; but only of industrial assets available for reparations. Of these, 30 per cent. is to be distributed under an Interim Reparations Removals programme, authorised by the issue by the United States Government of an interim directive to the Supreme Commander. One-sixth of this distribution has been allotted to the United Kingdom for immediate relief and rehabilitation requirements of Burma and the Far Eastern Colonies. The first deliveries, consisting of machine tools, are expected shortly. It is not possible to say what percentage this distribution will represent of the total eventually to be paid as reparations.