§ 38. Mr. H. G. WILLIAMSasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is prepared to issue licences for the import from Italy of goods the property of British subjects in all cases where the contract to purchase the goods had been entered into before the imposition of sanctions?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANUnder Article 1 of the Treaty of Peace (Covenant of the League of Nations) No. 2 Order, 1935, the Board of Trade are empowered to issue licences for the import of any goods consigned from, or grown, produced or manufactured in Italian territory, if satis- 1866 fied that the price of the goods was wholly paid on or before 19th October, 1935. This provision is in accordance with the decision of the Co-ordination Committee taken at Geneva on 2nd November, 1935.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSHave the coordinating committee any proposals for compensating Britons who have suffered great losses as a result of the imposition of sanctions?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANNone that I know of.
§ 39. Mr. H. G. WILLIAMSasked the President of the Board of Trade how many applications he has received for compensation in respect of losses incurred by British traders as a sequel to the imposition of sanctions against Italy?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI can only say that I have received a number of inquiries as to the possibility of compensation for alleged losses in such cases.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that some people have been completely ruined; and may I ask whether it is proposed to give these British subjects any help?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI am prepared to listen to any representations made on behalf of British firms.
§ Mr. G. GRIFFITHSIs it not a fact that some of the men thrown out of work have come on to unemployment insurance and have had to submit to the means test?