HC Deb 03 March 1925 vol 181 cc220-1
24. Sir JOHN MARRIOTT

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether it is now possible for the enemy debts clearing office to liquidate the accepted Anglo-German claims of all the smaller claimants (say, under £200), and so to effect an immediate and considerable reduction of staff'?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

In the ease of claims against Germany, the clearing office already pays in full admitted claims in respect of pre-War debts and proceeds of liquidation of British property in Germany, and, on awards of the Mixed Arbitral Tribunal in respect of compensation, it has paid up to £50 in full, together with a dividend of 15s. in the £on any further amount awarded. The payment of a further dividend is in contemplation, and I think that this course will be more expeditious and practicable than the hon. Member's proposal. In the cases of Austria and Hungary, dividends of 11s. and 3s. 6d. in the £, respectively, have been paid on all admitted claims and awards.

Further dividends will 'be paid as and when funds permit, but it would not be possible to make any further distribution in these two cases at the moment. All claims against Bulgaria have been paid in full.

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