HC Deb 05 July 1926 vol 197 cc1600-1
54. Mr. LANSBURY

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Mr. Martin has lodged any statement of claim with the Foreign Office or any of its Departments for damages alleged to have been inflicted on him by the Soviet Government during the period of his detention by that Government; and, if such a statement of claim has been lodged, will he state the money value of the claim and lay upon the Table of the House a copy of such claim?

Sir A. CHAMBERLAIN

Yes, Sir. Mr. Martin has lodged a claim with the Russian Claims Department of the Board of Trade against the Soviet Government for £20,000 in respect of imprisonment and confiscation of property. I do not consider that any useful purpose would he served by laying papers.

Mr. LANSBURY

In view of the publicity given to this case, would it not be a good thing to allow the public to hear or to read everything Mr. Martin has to say about his treatment rather than leaving it to hearsay?

Sir A. CHAMBERLAIN

There is already on the Notice Paper another question about the nature of Mr. Martin's claim or about his injuries, which I shall answer in due course. I think it would be a bad precedent to lay papers in regard to one out of the many claims which have been presented.

Commander OLIVER LOCKER-LAMPSON

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Mr. Martin is anxious for every form of publicity for his case?

Sir A. CHAMBERLAIN

The anxiety of Mr. Martin for publicity will not affect the judgment which I have expressed to the hon. Gentleman.