HC Deb 06 April 1936 vol 310 cc2396-7
16. Miss CAZALET

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the claim of Mr. Joseph Martin against the Soviet Government for compensation for wrongful imprisonment in 1919 and 1920 is still unsettled;. and whether he will consider the possibility of pressing the Soviet Government to meet this and similar claims by British subjects for compensation for personal injury?

Mr. EDEN

Yes, Sir. This claim, in common with other claims of a similar nature, has been constantly before His Majesty's Government, who are most anxious that an adequate settlement of them should be reached. I can assure my hon. Friend that His Majesty's Government have every sympathy with these claimants, and that they will lose no opportunity of endeavouring to secure such satisfaction of their claims as it may be possible to obtain.

Miss CAZALET

Could not my right hon. Friend do something further to expedite a settlement of these claims, which have been outstanding for a very long time?

Mr. EDEN

I do not think my hon. Friend would underestimate the complexity of the question, but she may rest assured that we intend to get such satisfaction as is possible for these claimants as a condition of any final settlement which may he reached.

Sir WILLIAM DAVISON

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that meanwhile many of these people, who are very poor, are nearly starving, and does he not think that representations should be made by His Majesty's Government in the matter without further delay?

Mr. EDEN

I am conscious of all that my hon. Friend has said, and I think he is also conscious of the other elements of the difficulty of the matter.