7. Mr. DOYLEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the German Government are paying promptly the necessary funds in accordance with Article I of the Agreement made between the British and German Governments, dated the 23rd November, 1921, for compensation as awarded by the mixed arbitral tribunal in respect of damage or injury inflicted upon the property of British nationals in accordance with Article 297 (e) of the Peace Treaty; if the German Government has refused to make such payments in cash; if so, does the British Government propose to put pressure upon the German Government to meet these obligations and/or is the British Government holding up payment to British nationals of such compensation until the full amount of admitted debts and of proceeds of liquidation of British property in Germany shall have been ascertained; and, if so, since this is contrary to the spirit of the Agreement and in view of the hardship now being suffered by the British nationals who are entitled to such compensation, will the British Government give an approximate date as to when, at least, a payment on account may be expected?
§ Mr. BALDWINThe first account under the Agreement is being struck at the end of this month, and I do not anticipate that it will show an immediate balance against Germany. German assets in our hands, however, are charged with other claims—some of which have not yet accrued—before compensation awards, and it is not possible to begin paying the latter until it is clear that sufficient funds will be forthcoming in the long run to meet them.