§ 91. Sir ROBERT GOWERasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can state if His Majesty's Government has yet arranged with the Rumanian Government as regards the method of payment of compensation to British companies whose properties were destroyed by the British Commission more than nine years ago; whether any payments have yet been made in respect of such compensation to any such British company or companies, and, if so, to which and to what amounts; and, having regard to the urgency of a settlement to many of these companies he can state when such compensation or the balance of such compensation will be paid?
§ Mr. GODFREY LOCKER-LAMPSONI am informed that the Rumanian Government have decided to compensate the companies whose oilfields in Rumania were damaged in 1916. The method of payment of compensation is a matter for settlement between the Rumanian Government and the companies concerned, and I understand that discussions are now taking place. So far as I am aware, no payments have yet been made by the Rumanian Government, but I understand that it is their intention to commence payments during the present year.