HC Deb 06 March 1928 vol 161 c206
1. Mr. A. M. SAMUEL

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will inquire of the Hungarian Government the reason for their non-admission of British debts represented by claims against; the Hungarian Government and the city of Budapest; and will he instruct our representative in Hungary to protest against the dilatory methods of the Hungarian authorities in respect of the outstanding claims lodged with them by the British administrator of Hungarian property?

The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Sir Philip Lloyd-Greame)

As the answer is rather long, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, have it circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the answer

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to a similar question asked by him on 4th December last. I should add that about 80 per cent. of the total British claims against the Municipality of Budapest have been admitted, and further admissions are coming in regularly. With regard to claims in respect of Hungarian Government securities, as no agreement has been reached with the Hungarian Government, steps are being taken to refer the matter to the Anglo-Hungarian Mixed Arbitral Tribunal. In these circumstances it is not considered necessary to adopt the course indicated in the last part of the question. But if my hon. Friend has in mind any particular cases of claims against the Municipality of Budapest, or of other claims, not being claims in respect of Hungarian Government securities, where there has been undue delay on the part of the Hungarian Clearing Office, he should communicate on the matter with the Administrator of Hungarian Property, who will be pleased to take up such cases with the Hungarian Clearing Office.