§ MR. BELLAIRSI beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what cases of claims for compensation for capture or sinking of British ships by Russian vessels in the recent war are still awaiting settlement.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir EDWARD GREY, Northumberland, Berwick)The cases under consideration are these of the "Allanton," "Ardovar," "Calchas," "Cilurnum," "Hipsang," "Ikhona," "Knight Commander," "Malacca," "Oldhamia," and "St. Kilda." The Russian Government have throughout maintained, and still maintain, that all cases of compensation in connection with the seizure or sinking of neutral vessels must be considered by a Prize Court, and they have declined to consider claims presented through the diplomatic channel. These cases are either still under consideration, or are actually sub judice, and I am therefore unable to make any further statement on the subject at present. I may, however, add that as regards the vessels which were sunk and were not taken in for adjudication, His Majesty's Government have from the outset reserved their right to press for compensation, irrespective of what the Prize Court's decision may be.