HC Deb 04 July 1951 vol 489 cc217-8W
59. Sir T. Moore

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the nature of the discussions at present taking place, or contemplated, regarding the payment of German pre-war debts; and what are the countries involved.

Mr. Ernest Davies

The Tripartite Commission on German Debts, which was set up by the Governments of France, the United Kingdom and the United States to arrive at settlement arrangements for the German external debt, is holding a series of meetings with interested parties. On 25th June preliminary informal discussions about Germany's pre-war debts with representatives of creditors in the three countries began in London. The Governments of Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden and Switzerland accepted invitations to send observers. Tomorrow, informal consultations will begin with a German delegation in addition to those engaged in the earlier discussions. These meetings are designed to prepare the ground for an autumn conference, to which all countries with a significant creditor interest will be invited.

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