HC Deb 10 December 1929 vol 233 cc237-9
32. Sir WILLIAM LANE MITCHELL

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the balance due represented by the unpaid 5s. 6d. in the £ on accepted proved claims by British nationals against Hungary; and upon what date the Anglo-Hungarian Clearing Office for Enemy Debts proposes to make a further distribution?

Mr. W. GRAHAM

The dividends on the admitted claims of British nationals against Hungary have been calculated on the amount of principal and interest up to the 26th July, 1921, the date of the ratification of the Treaty of Trianon. On this basis the unpaid dividend of 5s. 6d. in the £ represents £1,200,597. In addition to this sum there is a further liability which cannot at present be finally calculated in respect of outstanding claims and of interest on unpaid balances subsequent to the 26th July, 1921. A further dividend of 1s. 4d. in the £ will be paid on the 11th January next.

34. Captain A. HUDSON

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the last date upon which the Hungarian Government made its fixed half-yearly payment under the agreement of October, 1925, in respect of the Anglo-Hungarian claims administered by the clearing office for enemy debts; and is he[...]are that the Anglo-Hungarian clearing[...]has only declared one dividend[...]the period of 18 months which has[...]ce 3rd June, 1928?

Mr. GRAHAM

The last instalment under the agreement referred to was paid by the Hungarian Government on the 30th September, 1929. During the period mentioned in the last part of the question, the Department was unable to pay a further dividend because it was necessary to reserve funds to meet new claims for considerable sums which followed upon a decision of the Anglo-Hungarian Tribunal. A settlement of these claims has now been reached.

Mr. DAY

Can the right hon Gentleman say what the reserve fund was?

Mr. GRAHAM

I could not reply to that question without notice.

35. Mr. WEST RUSSELL

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that Hungary has punctually discharged its agreement of October, 1925, to pay a fixed half-yearly instalment, he can see his way to anticipate the receipt of the remaining instalments by clearing off the balance of 5s. 6d. in the £ on accepted proved claims by British nationals against Hungary, and thereby close down and prevent further administrative and staff expenditure at the Anglo-Hungarian branch of the Clearing Office for Enemy Debts?

Mr. GRAHAM

The Government's responsibilities in this matter are confined to satisfying the claims of Hungary's creditors in this country from funds derived from Hungarian sources, and I regret that I could not agree to add to those responsibilities in the way suggested. I may add that the administrative cost involved in satisfying these claims by instalments as and when money becomes available is negligible compared with the amount outstanding in respect of British claims.

36. Mr. KELLY

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether all accepted claims on the Anglo-German branch of the Enemy Debts Department have been paid off; and has this branch been disbanded?

Mr. GRAHAM

All admitted claims have been paid, and very considerable reductions have been made in the staff concerned. Further reductions are imminent, but the work must continue until the outstanding claims in the German and other administrations have been disposed of.

Mr. KELLY

Is the right hon. Gentleman quite satisfied with the conducting of this Department; and, if not, will he have an investigation made into the methods adopted in the Department?

Mr. GRAHAM

I have already given various replies to my hon. Friend on similar questions, and I could not possibly add to the reply that I gave to him some days ago on this subject.

37. Mr. KELLY

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will consider closing down the Anglo-Hungarian Department of the Enemy Debts Department and entrusting the distribution of the 5s. 6d. in the £ to the Public Trustee?

Mr. GRAHAM

The course suggested by my hon. Friend would not be in the interest of efficiency or economy, and I am unable to accept it.

Mr. KELLY

In view of the dissatisfaction with the conducting of the Enemy Debts Department, would it not be to the advantage of the country that this distribution should be handed over to the Public Trustee, in whom there is some confidence?

Mr. GRAHAM

I want to be quite frank with my hon. Friend, and to say that I greatly regret these vague charges. I have always asked that I should be given any specific case that can be made the subject of a definite charge, when I will immediately have it investigated. I must protest against this constant attack upon public Departments.

Mr. W. J. BROWN

Is it not the fact that the one individual who has made specific charges relating to the work of this particular Department and against particular individuals has been dismissed from the service of the Department without compensation, although the soundness of some of his charges has subsequently-been proved?

Mr. GRAHAM

No, Sir; in a single sentence, the position is not as stated by my hon. Friend.

Mr. KELLY

Is it not a fact that such charges were definitely made and were investigated by the Department?