§ 12. Sir A. KNOXasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that Miss Lilian Moon, a British subject, who was on many occasions arrested by the authorities in Odessa and detained for months in prison, finally escaping from Russia in September, 1929, put in a claim to the Foreign Office in November, 1929, for £10,000 as compensation for stolen property and injury to health in prison; and what steps have been taken to obtain settlement of this claim?
§ Mr. EDENYes, Sir. The claim to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers is registered with the Russian Claims Department of the Board of Trade, and came within the scope of the recent abortive negotiations on debts and claims with the Soviet Government.
The claim will continue to be included amongst those for which, as previously stated, satisfaction will be claimed from the Soviet Government at any suitable opportunity.
§ Sir A. KNOXCan my hon. Friend state whether there is any possible chance of any of these poor people getting anything?
§ Sir WILLIAM DAVISONCan my hon. Friend say what action the British Government are taking in these matters? Many very poor people have been robbed of their money without any political significance at all, and surely His Majesty's Government are going to put their foot down and say that they do not propose to have any trade or other agreement with a country—or firm—which has robbed our nationals?
§ Mr. EDENThe question refers to an individual claim. If my hon. Friend wants me to state the general policy, perhaps he will put down a question?
§ Sir W. DAVISONMy hon. Friend knows that I and other Members have put a number of very hard individual claims before the Foreign Office and that nothing has been done except sending notes from time to time asking that attention should be paid to them. Nothing has been done.
§ Sir A. KNOXWhy do not we change our policy towards Russia?