HC Deb 07 April 1952 vol 498 cc2285-6
54. Mr. Douglas Marshall

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what compensation will be paid for war damage sustained in the Philippines by British concerns.

Mr. Eden

Under the Philippine Rehabilitation Act, 1946, British subjects are not eligible to receive compensation for war damage sustained in the Philippines. The United States War Claims Commission did not recommend to the United States Congress any amendment of the Philippine Rehabilitation Act, and the Philippine War Damage Commission was terminated on the 31st March, 1951, and has been wound up. The United States War Claims Commission is to make a supplementary report, but unless this report makes favourable recommendations and these are accepted and carried into effect by the United States Government no war damage compensation will be paid to British concerns.

Mr. Marshall

Is my right hon. Friend aware that I have taken this matter up since 1946? Can he state what is the total amount involved and whether Her Majesty's Government are still going to press for this payment in view of the hurt caused to a number of people?

Mr. Eden

This War Damage Commission terminated its work on 31st March last year, so it is a little difficult to see what further action I can take in the matter. One of the difficulties is that in a number of our Colonies, such as Hong Kong, we have not been willing to grant countervailing damages, so the position is not a very easy one to redress; but I will do what I can.