HC Deb 20 July 1949 vol 467 cc1347-8
16 and 17. Mr. Thomas Reid

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) on whom does the obligation rest in respect to the losses caused by the war to the Burma Oil Company; by whom these losses have been made good; and if he will make a statement;

(2) on whom does the obligation rest in respect to the losses caused by the war to the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company; by whom have these losses been made good; and if he will make a statement.

The Minister of State (Mr. McNeil)

In the opinion of His Majesty's Government, legal liability for compensation for war damage losses in Burma rests with the Burmese Government. In answer to the second and third parts of the Questions. I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement about compensation for war damage in Burma made by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 24th June, 1949.

Mr. Reid

Is it the fact that the British Government are paying about £1,250,000 in compensation to the Burma Oil Company without having any guarantee that the Government of Burma will make up that sum? As to my second Question, is it a fact that the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company has been nationalised—on paper or otherwise—by the Government of Burma, and, if so, has adequate compensation been paid?

Mr. McNeil

The answer to the third Question is "No," and to the second Question, "Yes." As to the first, I am not sure precisely what my hon. Friend has in mind, but there have been two separate ex gratia payments.

Mr. Walter Fletcher

In cases, of which this is one, where, at the request of the military people in charge, a scorched earth policy was carried out, is not the moral responsibility for that clearly on His Majesty's Government? What action will they take?

Mr. McNeil

It seems to me that the hon. Gentleman has not read the statement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer.