§ 55. Mr. N. CHAMBERLAINasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action His Majesty's Government propose to take for paying compensation for losses 1874 suffered in respect of which claims will be submitted to the Reparation Commission for payment by Germany under the Treaty of Peace?
§ The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. Chamberlain)His Majesty's Government are engaged in preparing, for submission to the Reparation Commission, schedules of claims which they are entitled to put forward against the German Government under the various categories specified in Annex I to the Reparation Chapter of the Treaty of Peace. The Reparation Commission will in due course decide whether and to what extent the claims submitted are admissible. They are required to notify to the German Government, on or before 1st May, 1921, the amount of damage for which Germany is liable, and to draw up a schedule of payments prescribing the time and manner for securing and discharging the entire obligation within 30 years.
The British Government may not, therefore, know for some time the amount at which their claim in respect of damage done to individuals is admitted. In any case, payment may be expected to be spread over a considerable period.
His Majesty's Government have given careful consideration to the position of individuals in respect of whose losses reparation will be claimed by His Majesty's Government. It must be understood that the claims to be made are claims by the British Government in respect of a wrong done to the State, and not claims by individuals in respect of private wrongs, and that the Government do not act as the agents of any individual to put forward his personal claim. Any payments that may be received from Germany are therefore the property of the nation, and no individual will have any claim in law for any sum which the British Government may receive from Germany in respect of reparation.
But His Majesty's Government recognise that in particular cases, while there can be no legal claim, a private individual may have a strong moral claim for compensation for sufferings or damage for which it will be the desire of Parliament to make provision. They propose, therefore to set aside a sum of £5,000,000 out of the first receipts on account of reparation which are allocated to the Exchequer of the United Kingdom, as distinct 1875 from the British Empire (which cannot be till after payment has been made for the cost of the Armies of Occupation), to be used as a fund out of which payments can be made to individuals as an act of grace on the part of His Majesty's Government. They propose further that a special Commission should be appointed to examine claims upon this fund and to make awards out of it, proceeding on the basis of the strength of the case for compensation rather than on the amount at which the damage may have been assessed by the Reparation Commission, which amount will, however, fix the maximum award in any particular case.
§ Mr. BOTTOMLEYAre any of these provisions of the Peace Treaty subject to revision at the next meeting of the Supreme Council at Spa or Margate?
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYDo the Government, then, adhere to their pledge that a special pool out of the first payments will be formed to compensate the widows and orphans of merchant seamen torpedoed during the War?
§ Mr. CHAMBERLAINI must have notice of that question.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYThat pledge was given by the Prime Minister. Is it still adhered to?
§ Mr. CHAMBERLAINI shall be obliged to the hon. and gallant Gentleman if he will refer me to the particular words of the Prime Minister.