§ Mr. SMITHERSasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is 1646W aware that a new committee has been formed, under the name of the Mexican Preferred Debt International Protective Association, and have issued a statement criticising the action of the International Committee of Bankers; and will he consider what steps he can take, in the interests of British holders of Mexican securities, to ascertain how much money is available for distribution and whether some payment is possible?
§ Mr. DALTONYes, Sir; but I have no information as to the constitution or standing of that association. The British bondholders are represented on the International Committee of Bankers by their properly qualified agents, and I consider that it is for the bondholders, should they so desire, and not for His Majesty's Government, to inquire of the Commmittee of Bankers, through those agents, as to how much money may be available for distribution.