65. Mr. CORYasked the Lord Privy Seal if he can, without detriment to the public, state the names of the Mission which is proceeding to Roumania to estimate the damage caused to the oil mines; the terms of reference; and the amount of the claims hitherto received?
Mr. HARMSWORTHThe Commission will be under the charge of the hon. and gallant Member for Wandsworth Central, who will be accompanied by Mr. A. O. Hearn, representative of the Admiralty, Mr. J. G. Robins, representing the Treasury, Mr. E. Houghton-Fry, representative of the Petroleum Executive and Secretary to the Commission, and Messrs. Andrew Campbell, W. L. Mackenzie, and H. M. J. McCann, technical advisers on oil-drilling, refining and petroleum chemistry. In addition there will be two members nominated by the French Government. The terms of reference to the Roumanian Oil Commission, except in regard to matters of detail, are as follows: "The Commission is charged to visit Roumania, and the sites of all damage done under the authority of the Roumanian Government in November-December, 1916, and January, 1917, whether to the oilfields, oil 879 works, or refineries, pipelines, pumping stations, or storages, or to corn and other grain stocks or machinery and buildings; to inquire as to the present condition of such properties, and as to how far additional damage was occasioned by enemy action or accident, and as to how far the damage done in November-December, 1916, and January, 1917, was restored or made good by the enemy, and to report on such conditions with a view to advising as to the assessment of any compensation payable by the Roumanian Government." The amount of the claims will depend on the Report of the Commission. The number of claimants is forty-nine.