§ 38. Mr. RONALD McNEILLasked the Prime Minister if he can state or give an estimate of the total amount of claims by British subjects against the Government of Russia in respect of sterling obligations; rouble obligations; private property in Russia, whether real or personal; and personal injuries, respectively?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. A. V. Alexander)I have been asked to reply. The nominal capital amounts of Russian obligations in respect of which claims have been made are approximately forty millions sterling and 250 million roubles. The value of the industrial and manufacturing properties of which British subjects have been deprived has been estimated by the claimants at about £180,000,000. Claims in respect of other property, debts, etc., amount to some thirty-five million pounds registered in sterling, plus 800 million roubles registered in roubles. It is not possible to give a corresponding figure in respect of imprisonment and personal injury claims, as in many cases the amount claimed is not stated; the total sum of money involved in these last claims is, however, comparatively small.
§ Colonel ASHLEYWill the hon. Gentleman say how much money has been recovered by His Majesty's Government for British subjects who have had their money wilfully stolen from them?
§ Mr. HARMSWORTHHave these claims ever been considered by the Conference sitting in London?
§ Mr. ALEXANDERThat is a question for the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.