§ 11. Colonel PONSONBYasked the President of the Board of Trade, whether, in view of the fact that sanctions have been lifted and the actual losses of British importers from Italy can now be ascertained, the Government will be prepared to consider the making of ex gratia payments by way of compensation to those firms and individuals whose businesses have been ruined or seriously affected by the imposition of sanctions?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Runciman)I regret that I cannot add anything to the answer on this subject which I gave on 12th May to the hon. Member for Lincoln (Mr. Liddall).
§ Mr. PETHERICKIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that small firms like pilchard curers, whose business consists entirely of exports to Italy, have been nearly ruined by restrictions and then by the imposition of sanctions?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANYes, and their case has been put fully before the Government.
§ Mr. H. G. WILLIAMSHas any serious consideration been given to most pathetic cases where people have been reduced to such penury that they cannot afford to pay their fare back to Italy in order to resume their positions?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThis question applies more to the imposition of sanctions, and our difficulty has been to sort out those who have suffered from the imposition of sanctions and those who have suffered from bad credit, which is unfortunately one of the conditions affecting Italian trade.