WASHINGTON MEETING

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 37, 14 February 1933, Page 7

WASHINGTON MEETING

SCOPE OF DISCUSSION

STATEMENT BY MACDONALD

(British Official Wireless.) (Received February 14, 11 a.m.) RUGBY, February 13. The forthcoming Anglo-American war debt discussions in Washington were the subject of several questions to the Prime Minister in the House of Commons today. Asked if these would be confined to the qnestion of debt payments Mr. Mac Donald recalled that the Government had agreed Chat, concurrently with the discussion of war debts, between Britain and the United States, there should be a discussion of the world economic problems in which the two Governments were mutually interested. The object would be to promote a revival of world trade and prosperity. While the settlement of war debts was an essential condition of such a revival, the British Government had always recognised that there were a number of other factors, economic as well as financial, which would also have to be dealt with. They would be very glad to exchange views with the "United States Government over the whole field. Further questioned Mr. Mac Donald said that the purpose of the delegation was to get into close personal touch with the United States Government, so that both Governments could go on harmoniously to face the Hg problems that would have to be solved before they could come to a settlement. The British Government, ho added, wanted a war debt agreement with America which would enable Britain to pursue its European policy. Major Nathan. and Mr. Lansbnry (Labour) pressed for a debate before the delegation went to Washington. Hr. Mac Donald replied that it would be better not to restrict the action of the delegation. Great mistakes had been made in the past by replies to well-intentioned questions.