HC Deb 13 February 1919 vol 112 cc244-5
5. Mr. R. McNEILL

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that Mr. W. F. Dixon, an artist in stained glass, of European reputation, whose work is to be found in many cathedrals and other public buildings in England and abroad, who had been resident in Munich for twenty years before the War, left that place on the outbreak of war at the instance of the Foreign Office, communicated to him through the American Consul; that by so doing he was compelled to abandon real and personal property of a value of many thousand pounds which was promptly seized and confiscated by the German authorities; that since his return to England Mr. Dixon and his sister have been subsisting at Herne Bay on £1a week allowed him by the trustees of the Prince of Wales' Fund; and that the Treasury have refused to assist this artist on the ground that his claim can only be settled after the War; and whether, in view of the fact that Mr. Dixon lost his property and was reduced to subsist on charity through his prompt obedience to the Government on the outbreak of war, and that some time may still elapse before claims against enemy Governments can be liquidated, he will take steps, either by influence with the Treasury or otherwise, to provide sufficient alimony for Mr. Dixon to enable him and his sister to live in decency until his claim can be settled?

Mr. HARMSWORTH

Mr. W. F. Dixon has been in communication with this Department in regard to the order he is said to have received from His Majesty's Government to leave Munich. No such order was sent through, the United States authorities by His Majesty's Government. It seems probable that the order emanated from the German authorities. I understand that Mr. Dixon has been in communication with the Public Trustee in regard to his claim for loss of property, but he has not registered a claim with the Foreign Claims Office, though he applied for the necessary forms in December, 1917, and they were sent to him at that time with an explanation as to the manner of registering a claim. There are no funds at the disposal of this Department from which an allowance could be granted to Mr. Dixon in the manner suggested.