§ 79. Mr. DENMANasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will look into the case of Mrs. B. R. May, the re-naturalised British-born widow of a German subject, who has been compelled to pay £230 to the administrator of German property in order to enable her to receive her income from her trustees without its passing through the clearing office; by what authority such a charge is made on a British subject; and whether he will give instructions for the sum to be repaid?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANMrs. May was of German nationality for many years before January, 1920, when the charge imposed by the Treaty of Peace Order, 1919, on the property of German nationals took effect. Under the Anglo-German Agreement of 28th December, 1929, she became entitled to the release of her unliquidated property subject to the payment of the fee provided for in Article 9 of the Agreement as a condition of release. The fact that she reacquired British nationality in September, 1933, in no way affects her liability to pay this fee, and I am unable to order its repayment.
§ Mr. DENMANDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think that this charge is very extraordinary?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANNo, Sir. Article 9 of the Agreement was regarded at the time as a fair settlement.