HC Deb 31 July 1923 vol 167 cc1239-40
1. Captain WEDGWOOD BENN

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of separate estates of British-born women which have been wholly or partly seized in pursuance of the terms of the treaties of peace; and the aggregate amount so realised?

The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Sir P. Lloyd-Greame)

I am unable to state the number of separate estates of British-born women which are subject to the charge under the terms of the treaties of peace or the amount involved, but in accordance with a decision reached in June, 1922, the crediting of the proceeds of German property other than enemy debts to the German Government through the Clearing Office has been postponed where the owner is a woman born of British parents who became German by marriage and the property comes from British sources.

Captain BENN

Does the right hon. Gentleman say that no property belonging to the wives of Germans and Austrians has been seized under the treaties?

Sir P. LLOYD-GREAME

No, I did not say that. What I said was that after the decision referred to, all foreign property is subject to the order and the crediting process is being postponed.

Captain BENN

The question is, how many of these women have suffered, and what is the aggregate amount seized? That is a simple question.

Sir P. LLOYD-GREAME

It is a simple question, but it would require an enormous amount of investigation to give an adequate answer.

Captain BENN

In a matter which excites so much interest on all sides of the House, are we not to be told what is the aggregate amount of property seized under these articles of the Treaties?

Sir P. LLOYD-GREAME

I think the hon. and gallant Gentleman is aware that we are considering the matter referred to in the question on the Paper. I am considering the appointment of a Committee to go into this type of case and make recommendations. It would take an enormous amount of labour to prepare the material required to answer this question specifically, and in view of the course which I am adopting, it would be unreasonable to undertake it.