§ 30. Mr. SAKLATVALAasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what was the number of British citizens who were in 1920–21 induced to go out to Peru for employment as advertised in England by the responsible agents of the Peruvian Government; when were these people repatriated to this country; what was the method adopted for computing the compensation 1860 due to them; what was the total figure of the awards agreed to; what amount has been actually obtained and distributed; and what measures are being taken by the Foreign Office to obtain the balance and to give full justice to these families who were left in a distressed condition for a long time?
§ Mr. McNEILLIn spite of official warnings, nearly 300 British subjects proceeded to Peru in 1920–21 under the auspices of the Peruvian Government. Parties of 60, 32 and 30 persons were repatriated to this country in April, July and December, 1921, and about 60 others returned independently. The claims for compensation made by the returned emigrants were investigated by the Oversea Settlement Committee, account being taken of the actual hardship suffered, the family and other responsibilities of the claimants, and the reasonable probability of their having obtained permanent employment had they remained in this country. The sums actually received from the Peruvian Government and distributed amounted to £2,500. A claim has been presented to the Peruvian Government for a further sum of £1,114 in final settlement.