HC Deb 25 July 1951 vol 491 c443
7. Mr. Wakefield

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what reply has been received from the Polish Government to the protest made on 24th May by His Majesty's Ambassador regarding the failure of that government to pay the sum of £400,000 due on 31st March.

16. Mr. Russell

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if the Polish Government are still in default in the payment of £400,000 due on 31st March, 1951.

Mr. Ernest Davies

The Polish Government are still in default on the payment in question. A Polish reply of 13th June to His Majesty's Ambassador's protest of 24th May contained no undertaking about the initial payment of £400,000 due on 31st March, but charged His Majesty's Government with seeking to hold the Polish Government to the strict terms of the Trade and Financial Agreement, while themselves failing to observe their obligations under the Agreement.

His Majesty's Ambassador was at the same time informed orally that the Polish Government were considering the matter of the quarterly payments of the various percentages laid down under Article 17 (a) of the Agreement. The first of these payments, amounting to £244,329, was due on 30th June and has not yet been received.

Mr. Wakefield

Will the hon. Gentleman bring this breach of faith by the Polish Government to the notice of those of his hon. Friends who complain so bitterly about the action of His Majesty's Government in requisitioning the two tankers recently built in Britain for the Polish Government?

Mr. Davies

The two have no connection whatsoever. This is a financial default on the part of the Polish Government.