– in the House of Commons am ar 12 Mai 1924.
asked the Prime Minister if France has paid the whole of her War debt to Spain; and, if so, what was the amount?
I assume that the hon. Member refers to the loan of 455 million pesetas advanced by a consortium of Spanish bankers to the French Government by instalments during the period March, 1918, to March, 1919. I understand that these advances have been repaid.
Will the hon. Gentleman say when these were repaid?
It is a little difficult, but I understand that the last of them were repaid in December last.
What is the hon. Gentleman doing about the debt due to us from France?
The question hardly bears on this, because strictly speaking this was a loan by bankers, no doubt in the form of Government support to other bankers. The hon. and gallant Gentleman raises a much larger issue which I must not now discuss.
Was not this loan made by private individuals or by the Government?
No, it was made to French bankers, but there does not seem to be any doubt that it was in large measure a Government arrangement.
Is there any difference between bankers and citizens?