§ Mr. ARTHUR HENDERSONasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign 646W Affairs what arrangements, if any, for reciprocal commercial facilities have been concluded between the States lately forming part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire; what efforts the Government is making or intend to make to re-establish freedom of trade between all parts of the economic unit of Austro-Hungary which has now been split up; whether Czecho-Slovakia is delivering to Austria the quantity of coal guaranteed in the Peace Treaty; and, if not, what steps the Government proposes to take both to enable and to compel Czecho-Slovakia to supply the quantity promised?
Mr. HARMSWORTHA large number of arrangements for reciprocal commercial facilities have been concluded between the States lately forming parts of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, in addition to reciprocal commercial arrangements between Austria and Poland. These arrangements have been fostered and facilitated by the British Relief Missions and by other representatives of His Majesty's Government in the various countries.
I am not in possession of detailed information as to all these arrangements, but I may say that the principal agreements concluded are those between Austria on the one hand, and Czecho-Slovakia, Yugo-Slavia, Poland, and Roumania on the other. The agreements between Austria and Czecho-Slovakia provide for the exchange of commodities which Austria can supply, such as salt and matches, against coal and sugar. The latest information shows that the deliveries of coal and sugar from Czecho-Slovakia have fallen considerably below the quantities stipulated. The same is true of the other agreements just mentioned, which provide for the delivery of foodstuffs and oil to Austria. I am informed that there were also several contracts between Austria and the late Bolshevist Government of Hungary, which the present Hungarian Government do not accept as valid, and for the renewal of which negotiations are now proceeding.
As regards the delivery of real From Czecho-Slovakia, to Austria, pressure has been brought to bear through the Supreme Council in Paris, the European Coal Commission, and the Reparation Sub-Commission in Vienna, to remedy the present situation and also to increase the stock available for the transport of coal to Austria.