§ Commander BELLAIRSasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the compulsory deliveries of German reparation coal to France are to come to an end in 1929, as provided in the Treaty of Versailles?
Mr. GUINNESSThe Treaty of Versailles provision under which France can demand compulsory deliveries of coal by Germany at special prices expires on 9th January, 1930. Under Clause 2 (d) of the London Agreement of 9th August, 1924 (Command Paper 2259), deliveries of coal may be made on a commercial basis and not at Treaty prices if so arranged and if consistent with the total payments to be made by Germany under the Dawes plan. These deliveries are not compulsory except in the special contingency provided for in Clause 2 (d) (vi), i.e., if and to the extent that an Arbitral Commission of three independent arbitrators decides that there has been wilful discrimination or wilful obstruction on the part of the German Government or its nationals to the conclusion of ordinary commercial contracts.