§ 81. Colonel YATEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can add to the statement in Paper 47, of 1917, showing that from 4th August, 1914, to 31st March, 1916, £6,849,622 was received by the Prize Court, and that a balance of £4,815,914 still remains in the hands of the Court, a further statement showing the amount received by the Prize Court to 31st March, 1917, and how much of the amount in the hands of the Court represents enemy property and is ordered not to be paid out of Court until the conclusion of peace except on the application of the proper officer of the Crown; and will he say why the proper officer of the Crown does not apply for the confiscation to the Crown of all enemy property or proceeds thereof in the custody of the Court?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe corresponding figures at 31st March, 1917, subject to audit are:
The analysis of the total balance at 31st March, 1917, between its several component parts would involve considerable clerical labour, and cannot be given at the present time. The answer to the latter part of the question depends on the concrete facts of a great number of cases. The proper officer of the Crown applies to the Court for the condemnation to the Crown of all enemy property and proceeds thereof in respect of which he is advised that such application can properly be made.
Total to 31st March, 1917 … £9,437,630 Balance at same date … …5,932,977