Oral Answers to Questions — House of Commons. – in the House of Commons at on 2 April 1930.
Sir George Jones
, Stoke Newington
asked the Chancellor of the exchequer whether the Government are willing to help British claimants to enforce their claims against Turkey under Articles 231, 232, 233, and Annex 1 (9) of the Treaty of Versailles, or under Article 297 (e) and Annex 4 of such treaty?
Mr Frederick Pethick-Lawrence
, Leicester West
The Articles in the Treaty of Versailles referred to in the question relate to the responsibility of Germany in respect of damage caused by Germany and her ex-allies within the limits laid down by those Articles, and no claims against Turkey arise under them. The terms in which the question is expressed appear therefore to rest on a misconception.
Sir George Jones
, Stoke Newington
Is the hon. Gentleman aware that these claimants were being paid only 52½ per cent. without interest, and that similar claimants against other enemy countries were being paid in full with interest?
Mr Frederick Pethick-Lawrence
, Leicester West
That is quite a separate question from the one which the hon. Member put down, but the fact is that the money which is available has been sufficient to pay the 52½ per cent., and there is no more money available.
The House of Commons is one of the houses of parliament. Here, elected MPs (elected by the "commons", i.e. the people) debate. In modern times, nearly all power resides in this house. In the commons are 650 MPs, as well as a speaker and three deputy speakers.
The chancellor of the exchequer is the government's chief financial minister and as such is responsible for raising government revenue through taxation or borrowing and for controlling overall government spending.
The chancellor's plans for the economy are delivered to the House of Commons every year in the Budget speech.
The chancellor is the most senior figure at the Treasury, even though the prime minister holds an additional title of 'First Lord of the Treasury'. He normally resides at Number 11 Downing Street.
