MR. BRYNMOR JONES (Swansea Districts)I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has caused to be paid to relatives of the British officers killed in December, 1893, at Waima the sum of £200 in part satisfaction of their claim for compensation pending the termination of the negotiations with the Republic of France; and whether, seeing that some of these relatives are still in difficult and straitened circumstances, he will now arrange to pay them such compensation as the Government might have reasonably claimed, or still may reasonably claim, from the Republic of France by way of indemnity.
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Sir M. HICKS BEACH,) Bristol, W.The sum named in the first paragraph of the question has been paid. It was recommended by the Foreign Office to be paid by way of temporary relief, and I agreed to the recommendation on learning from the Foreign Office that the French Government were prepared to accept arbitration and admit the principle of an indemnity to the British sufferers, if it was established that Waima was in British territory, a matter which, in the opinion of the Foreign Office, was no longer in doubt. I am not aware, however, that any progress has been made in the matter since which would justify the request made in the latter part of the question.
MR. BRYNMOR JONESCannot the right hon. Gentleman grant a further sum, seeing that some of these people are in somewhat straitened circumstances?
§ SIR M. HICKS BEACHI think not. It must be remembered that they have already received more than is given to the relatives of officers killed in action.