HC Deb 13 December 1939 vol 355 cc1174-6
7. Sir Cooper Rawson

asked the Prime Minister whether he has taken any further action to press for satisfaction of the claim of Mr. Joseph Martin, of Brighton, for suffering and damage caused by fever, blindness and other injuries resulting from the brutal treatment he received during his imprisonment, without trial, in Moscow by the Soviet Government in 1919 to 1920, or, in lieu of obtaining compensation from the Soviet Government, will he now consider granting compensation to Mr. Martin, in view of the fact that His Majesty's Government, on 2nd May, 1923, omitted to include Mr. Martin's claim with those of Mrs. Davison and Mrs. Stan Harding to the Soviet Government, both of whom received compensation, although these three were the only claims which had been taken up with the Soviet Government, investigated, and compensation found to be due prior to May, 1923?

The Prime Minister

No, Sir. This very hard case was the subject of representations to the Soviet Government in the year 1922, but it has been found impossible, except in the two cases mentioned, to obtain satisfaction in respect either of Mr. Martin's claim or of any of the other numerous claims for compensation which are still outstanding. As regards the suggestion that His Majesty's Government should grant compensation to Mr. Martin in respect of his claim, it is not felt possible to make a special exception in his case, which differs in no essential respect from any of the other 260 claims for personal injury outstanding against the Soviet Government.

Sir C. Rawson

Is the Prime Minister aware that these three cases of Mr. Martin, Mrs. Stan Harding, and Mrs. Davison, were the only three cases which were thoroughly gone into, and that they stand in a class entirely by themselves and distinct from the other 260 cases?

The Prime Minister

No, Sir. I am informed that that is not the case and that Mr. Martin's case cannot be distinguished from many other cases outstanding.

Sir C. Rawson

Have I any opportunity of bringing the case before the Prime Minister, or before someone, in the presence of Mr. Martin himself, who has been blind all these years?

The Prime Minister

This has been before us for 17 years.