HC Deb 21 February 1924 vol 169 cc1968-9
45. Sir H. BRITTAIN

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the requisitioning of His Majesty's Government, on or about the 30th July, 1914, of the battleships which were in course of construction in this country for account of Turkey, without the return to that country of the sum of about £5,000,000 paid by Turkey on account thereof, gave rise to a campaign of reprisal against British subjects resident in Turkey by the Turkish Government, though still a neutral State, seizing and requisitioning on an extensive scale the property of British nationals; and whether, seeing that the said £5,000,000 then remained a sum legally attachable by British nationals having claims against the Turkish Government in respect of seizures and requisitioning of property and that British nationals were only deprived of this right to attach against the £5,000,000 by the subsequent action of His Majesty's Government, after war had been declared against Turkey, in seizing this sum without taking into consideration the claims of British nationals which had arisen as a counter-charge thereon, steps will now be taken to compensate such British nationals?

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. Snowden)

The hon. Member is under a misapprehension. Turkey possessed certain claims on His Majesty's Government arising out of the requisitioning of the battleships. The Turkish declaration of war prevented the assessment and payment of these claims to Turkey, and, in accordance with international law, transferred the Turkish claim to His Majesty's Government. There was never any sum belonging to Turkey legally attachable by British nationals. The claims of British nationals against Turkey will be considered by the Inter-Allied Commission to be appointed under the provisions of the Convention relating to the Assessment and Reparation of Damage suffered in Turkey, which was signed at Paris on 23rd November, 1923 (Cmd. Paper 2028).

Sir H. BRITTAIN

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for his reply, may I ask him if he will do all he can for the British citizens who have suffered very severely in Constantinople, and who look to the British Government to see that their claims are put forward in the near future? They have waited five years.

Mr. SNOWDEN

I am sure everyone will feel sympathy with these people, and steps will be taken to ensure that their claims are considered.

Sir A. SHIRLEY BENN

If these reprisals were taken before war was declared, why should the claims of British nationals be left to an international committee?

Mr. SNOWDEN

I do not gather that that was so.

Sir FREDRIC WISE

What is the amount of claims by British nationals?

Forward to