40. Mr. ERSKINEasked the Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the claim for compensation of Mr. Joseph Martin, now blind as a result of his wrongful imprisonment by the Russian Soviet Government, has formed the subject of negotiation with the Soviet Government in accordance with the pledge given by the Under-Secretary of State in his reply concerning the settlement of this class of claims to a question put in this House on 23rd July, 1923; whether there has been any result: and, if not, what is the present position in relation to this particular claim?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINYes, Sir, this claim formed the subject of negotiation with the Soviet Government, the result of which was communicated to the House in a reply to a question asked by the Hon. Member for Salford on the 9th May, 1923. No further explanation has been offered by the Soviet Government, and in view of the attitude adopted by them no useful 16 purpose would be served by approaching them at the present time in regard to this and the numerous claims of a similar nature which have been brought to the notice of His Majesty's Government.