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Oral Answers to Questions — Greece.

– in the House of Commons at on 9 December 1920.

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Photo of Hon. Esmond Harmsworth Hon. Esmond Harmsworth , Isle of Thanet

55.

asked the Prime Minister whether any financial assistance has at any time been either given or promised to Greece for the Greek Army in Asia Minor?

Photo of Mr David Lloyd George Mr David Lloyd George , Caernarvon District of Boroughs

The answer is in the negative.

Sir F. HALL:

78.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if Great Britain is now rendering any financial assistance to Greece; if so, what is the nature and extent of such financial assistance, and on what terms it is given?

Mr. ALFRED T. DAVIES:

81.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether British credits to the value of £10,000,000 were advanced to the late Greek Government; whether there is still an unused balance of approximately £3,000,000; and whether it is proposed to take any action regarding this latter sum should ex-King Constantine return to the throne of Greece?

Photo of Mr Cecil Harmsworth Mr Cecil Harmsworth , Luton

Under the financial agreement of February, 1918, His Majesty's Government opened a book credit in favour of the Greek Government to the approximate extent of £10,000,000. The Government of M. Venizelos had already drawn upon this credit to the extent approximately of £6,500,000. The new Greek Government have now been informed that in the event of the return of the ex-King Constantine to the throne of Greece no further financial assistance will be afforded, and all further Greek drafts upon the balance of this credit will thus have to be suspended.

Sir F. HALL:

Have we got any security for the £6,500,000 which they have already had? Will my hon. Friend say upon what terms this loan was granted?

Photo of Mr Cecil Harmsworth Mr Cecil Harmsworth , Luton

Perhaps my hon. and gallant Friend will give me notice.

Sir F. HALL:

It was in my question.

Photo of Hon. Hugh O'Neill Hon. Hugh O'Neill , Antrim Mid

In view of the very large sum advanced to Greece, has the hon. Gentleman been branded as a waster by the Press?

Photo of Mr Cecil Harmsworth Mr Cecil Harmsworth , Luton

I do not know.

Mr. E. H ARMSWORTH:

Is it not a fact that the financial assistance to Greece has been spent on the Greek Army?

Photo of Mr Cecil Harmsworth Mr Cecil Harmsworth , Luton

Perhaps my hon. Friend will give me notice.

Mr. DOYLE:

In the event of the return of ex-King Constantine, is there any machinery for getting back this £6,500,000?

Photo of Mr Cecil Harmsworth Mr Cecil Harmsworth , Luton

That question should be addressed to the Chancellor of the exchequer.

Photo of Commander Hon. Joseph Kenworthy Commander Hon. Joseph Kenworthy , Kingston upon Hull Central

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Chancellor of the exchequer has informed the House more than once that we were not assisting the Greek Government?

Photo of Mr Cecil Harmsworth Mr Cecil Harmsworth , Luton

I cannot recollect the actual statement of the Chancellor of the exchequer.

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Secretary of State

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