26. Mr. DOYLEasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Smyrna-Aid-in Railway Company has an admitted claim of £49,000 against the, Greek Government for services which the company, at the instance of the British Government, was compelled to render to the Greeks in Asia Minor; and if any steps are being taken to secure payment of this claim, the amount having been agreed to by the Greek authorities?
§ Mr. McNEILLThe services given by the Smyrna-Aid-in Railway Company to the Greek military authorities during the Greek occupation of Smyrna were not rendered at the instance of His Majesty's Government. The company were unavoidably forced by circumstances to render certain services to the Greek military authorities in order to avoid requisition of the railway. The claim of the company against the Greek Government for these services was understood to amount to £45,000 in September last, when His Majesty's Minister at Athens was instructed to press the Greek Government to settle it. Owing to the political and financial crisis in Greece, the representations made by His Majesty's Chargé d' Affaires have not so far proved successful. The claims are now understood to amount to £49,000 and His Majesty's Chargé d' Affaires is instructed to renew his representations.
27 and 28. Mr. DOYLEasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) whether he is aware that the Smyrna-Aid-in Railway is the oldest railway in Turkey and the largest British industrial enterprise in Asia Minor; that it was built with capital raised exclusively in London: that the whole of the directorate and general manager are, and always have been, British; that upwards of £5,000,000 of British capital is invested in it; that many of the investors are persons of limited means; that it has always paid British Income Tax in full; in view of the fact that much damage and destruction has been wrought by the Ottoman Government, what means are proposed to compensate the owners of the company;
(2) what is the position of the Smyrna-Aid-in Railway Company in regard to claims for compensation for damages sustained whilst in the occupation of enemy forces; whether he is aware that the Ottoman Government seized, confiscated, and enjoyed the revenue of the line during the period of the late War; what tribunal is now dealing with these claims; whether such claims were considered at the Lausanne Conference if not, for what reason; if so, what decision, if any, was arrived at, and the reasons for same; whether he is aware that these claims were secured by Article 287 of the Treaty of Sevres; and what method of recovery is proposed in substitution thereof?
§ Mr. McNEILLI am aware generally of the facts referred to in these questions. The Company's claims against the Turkish Government were considered with those of other Turkish Companies controlled by Allied interests at the Lausanne Conference, and in the draft Treaty presented to the Turkish Delegation, provision has been made for their settlement. The Blue Book on the proceedings of the Conference which is about to be laid will give the details of those provisions.
§ Mr. McNEILLI think my hon. Friend will see that my answer covers that point. If he will wait and see the Blue Book, he will have the full provisions, which he can consult for himself, set out.