§ 1. Brigadier-General CROFTasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that an English concern in Germany known as the Imperial Continental Gas Association, which had a 1833 practical monopoly of the gas supply in Berlin and its suburbs, has been taken over by the German Gas Company, Limited, he can assure the English shareholders in this concern that they will be compensated for their loss out of the German business in this country?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Sir Albert Stanley)The question of compensating British subjects injured by the action of the German Government, out of German property in this country, depends on the decision which may ultimately be taken as to the disposal of such property as is now vested in the custodian. Meantime it is open to persons in this country to register their claims against enemy Governments with the Foreign Claims Office, and I understand that such a claim has, in fact, been registered by the Imperial Continental Gas Association.
§ Mr. KINGIs the right hon. Gentleman not in a position to state that this company has, during the War, received a very large sum from Germany in respect of its properties at Frankfurt-on-Maine?
§ Sir A. STANLEYNo; I am not aware of it.