§ Mr. A. HERBERTasked the Prime Minister to what percentage of her entire. Budget has the yearly cost of the upkeep of the various commissions imposed upon Bulgaria under the Treaty of Neuilly amounted?
Mr. YOUNGI have not the information required to answer this question, but I am inquiring of the British delegate on the Inter-Allied Commission and will communicate again with the hon. Member.
§ Mr. HERBERTasked the Prime Minister whether Bulgaria has promptly and honestly fulfilled all her onerous obligations under the Treaty of Neuilly; and, if not, with what exception?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe Bulgarian Government has not complied with its obligation under Paragraph 10 of the Annex to Section IV of Part IX of the Treaty of Neuilly-sur-Seine to deliver to1918W His Majesty's Government, by the 9th February, 1921, the securities and other matters referred to in that paragraph. No securities, etc., have been handed over. The Clearing Office procedure does not apply between Great Britain and Bulgaria, but the Bulgarian Government is responsible for its own debts, which are a matter for direct settlement between that Government and its British creditors. An arrangement for the settlement of these debts was concluded between the Bulgarian Government and the British holders of Bulgarian Government bonds. The Bulgarian Government has not fulfilled its obligations under Article 177 (h) (2) to pay over the proceeds of the property rights and interests and cash assets of British nationals immediately on the ratification of the Treaty On the 9th August, 1920, to His Majesty's Government, or, so far as is known, to the British owners. With regard to the Military Clauses of the Treaty of Neuilly, Bulgaria has fulfilled all her obligations with the exception that she has not yet handed over all arms and ammunition, and consequently at present possesses more than the maximum allowed in Table V, Part IV, Section I. From time to time hidden dumps of arms and ammunition are found in the country, and these are then disposed of by the Organ of Liquidation. With the approval of the Allied Military Committee of Versailles, and with the object of maintaining order on her frontiers, she also still retains about 3,000 conscript Frontier Guards as a temporary measure, up to 15th November, 1922. The position with regard to the financial obligations of Bulgaria is as stated in the reply given to my hon. Friend on the 2nd instant by my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury.