§ 21. Major Guy Lloydasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is satisfied with the progress being made in the treatment of the claims of British subjects against Siam; and what complaints he has received about the offer of the Siamese Government of a lump sum composition for a quick settlement.
§ Mr. MayhewYes, Sir. Personal prejudice claims, which were rightly given priority, are actually receiving consideration by the Siamese Government, who have agreed to meet them in full as assessed and validated by a claims committee on which the British Commonwealth have adequate representation. A number of claims of the kind have in fact been validated and payment will be made to claimants out of assets of the Siamese Government frozen in this country. Property claims are not so far advanced, but my right hon. Friend is not dissatisfied with the progress already made. I am not aware of any complaints having been 18 made about the offer of the Siamese Government to settle property claims by means of a lump sum payment.
§ Major LloydIs the Under-Secretary satisfied that the claims have, on the whole, been fairly and adequately dealt with; or have the Foreign Affairs Department issued any kind of directive to their representatives on the Claims Committee to say, "We have had enough. Stop the thing now. Justice has been done"? Would the Under-Secretary tell the House whether he and his Department think that justice has been done in these claims?
§ Mr. MayhewI have no evidence of the suggestion made by the hon. and gallant Member. On the general subject, I have nothing to add to the statement I have given.