§ MR. HERBERT SAMUEL (Yorkshire, Cleveland)I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can state approximately what were the British costs at the inquiry at Paris into the North Sea incident; by whom these costs will be paid; and whether any negotiations are now proceeding with Russia on matters arising out of the North Sea incident.
§ EARL PERCYIt is impossible to give even an approximate estimate of 23 the British costs at present, as accounts from various quarters have not yet been received. The expenses of the presentation of the British case to the Commission will be borne by His Majesty's Government; and the expenses incurred by the Commission in organising its staff and in conducting the investigations will be shared equally by His Majesty's Government and the Russian Government in accordance with Article VIII. of the Declaration signed on November 25th, 1904. The answer to the last paragraph is in the negative.
§ MR. HERBERT SAMUELAs re-regards the Answer to the last sentence in the Question, may I ask whether we are to understand that the Government regard the matter as being finally closed by the payment of the indemnity?
§ EARL PERCYYes, as far as I am aware.