HC Deb 17 February 1920 vol 125 cc678-9
2. Lieut.-Colonel Sir S. HOARE

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any steps have yet been taken to satisfy the claims of the Ruhleben prisoners who by their internment in Germany suffered personal and financial injury; and whether, in the event of the settlement of their claims being postponed as a result of the delays incidental to the fulfilment of the Peace Treaty, some interim and provisional grant can be immediately made to them?

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. Chamberlain)

My hon. and gallant friend is no doubt aware that under the Peace Treaty it is the British Government and not individual British citizens who have a claim for reparation from Germany. The claims to be made by His Majesty's Government upon the German Government for reparation are in process of preparation. By the terms of the Treaty it is the Reparation Commission which will decide upon the admissibility of the claims submitted by His Majesty's Government. Until this has been done, and payment has begun to be made by the German Government, there are no funds in the hands of His Majesty's Government out of which grants of the kind suggested by my hon. and gallant Friend could be made.

Sir S. HOARE

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are a great number of very hard cases—men with perfectly strong claims, which, no doubt, will eventually be met; and could he not use his influence with a fund such as the Prince of Wales's Fund or the Civil Liabilities Fund in order to get some assistance given to these people?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

I do not think it is for me to apply to the Prince of Wales's Fund, or any fund of that kind. My hon. and gallant Friend himself might submit, or cause to be submitted, the class of cases he has in mind.

Sir S. HOARE

Is my right hon. Friend aware really that some of these cases are very hard cases, and could he not make representations of some kind?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

I have no personal knowledge of these cases. I think that the representations my hon. and gallant Friend has in view would be far better met by those who have gone into the cases, and can speak with some personal conviction and knowledge.