§ MAJOR ANSTRUTHER-GRAYI beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can hold out any hope that the British subjects who have suffered loss through the bombardment of Casablanca in August last will receive as much consideration as German subjects, who have been fully compensated.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir EDWARD GREY,) Northumberland, BerwickThe hon. Member is under a misapprehension in thinking that German subjects have already received full compensation. An International Commission will assemble shortly at Casablanca to investigate the losses incurred by foreign subjects, and to decide what amount of compensation shall be claimed from the Moorish Government. Pending the meeting of this Commission, the German Government have advanced a sum of £12,500, but I understand this only covers a quarter of the total amount claimed. It has never been the practice of His Majesty's Government to make such advances, nor do I believe that Parliament would agree to do it in one case without being prepared to do it in all similar cases in future, a policy which in view of the extent of British interests abroad would entail a' new and very heavy liability.
§ MAJOR ANSTRUTHER-GRAYThen British subjects in that country may hope to receive some compensation?
§ SIR EDWARD GREYTheir claims will be considered by the International Commission on the same footing as those of the subjects of other countries.
§ MR. ASHLEYWhere is the money to come from? Is it to be advanced by the Bank of Morocco?
§ SIR EDWARD GREYI must await the report of the International Commission and see what amount is awarded before I attempt to answer that Question.