§ 10. Mr. ANNESLEY SOMERVILLEasked the Secretary of State for India, in view of the application that has been made to his Department for the reconsideration of the claims of Mr. Percy W. Fitz-Holmes in respect of the requisitioning by the Government of India of the Carlton Hotel, Simla, in 1918, 1919, and 1920, if he is aware that the hotel was left in such a state of dilapidation that Mr. Fitz-Holmes could not afford the outlay necessary to recondition the hotel and has, in consequence, suffered severe loss; and will he now reconsider the whole matter?
§ Sir S. HOAREThe decision on this case was reached after arbitration proceedings in India in 1920, when all the circumstances were fully examined. They were again reviewed in 1922 and 1929 when Mr. Fitz-Holmes memorialised the Secretary of State. I regret that I can find no grounds for re-opening the decision that was confirmed by my predecessors.
§ Mr. SOMERVILLEIs my right hon. Friend aware that, having regard to all the circumstances of the case, the amount of compensation awarded Mr. Fitz-Holmes is totally inadequate?
§ Sir S. HOAREThe case has been fully considered and from time to time my predecessors have had to say that they cannot reopen the question. I have looked into the papers, and I am satisfied that this gentleman had a very fair arbitration, and that the points mentioned by the hon. Member were taken into account.