HC Deb 13 May 1932 vol 265 cc2321-2W
Mr. SMITHERS

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Greek Government propose to use the amounts due for sinking fund on the specifically secured foreign loans of Greece for public works in Greece; and whether he will make representations on behalf of British bondholders against this procedure?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

I understand that statements have been made by members of the Greek Government in the sense suggested in the first part of the question. As regards the second part, a formal protest has been made by the International Financial Commission at Athens against the failure of the Greek Government to carry out its legal obliga- tions, and this protest has been supported by the British, French and Italian Representatives in Greece. Instructions have recently been sent to His Majesty's Minister at Athens to address a further representation on the matter to the Greek Government. As has already been stated, His Majesty's Government take the gravest view of the Greek Government's action, and they will not fail to take any steps which may be open to them to protect the legal rights of their bondholders.