HC Deb 02 July 1952 vol 503 cc420-2
30. Mr. A. Henderson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make a statement on the amount of compensation offered to the Republic of San Marino in respect of damage caused in June, 1944, during aerial bombardment of the area.

Mr. Nutting

Yes, Sir. In 1944 the Republic of San Marino was bombed by units of the Desert Air Force and was fought over and finally occupied by Allied Forces. The Government of San Marino subsequently submitted a claim for compensation amounting to 732 million Italian lire, approximately £421,000 at the present rate of exchange. Her Majesty's Government have consistently repudiated any legal liability for the damage caused in San Marino on the grounds that the neutrality of the Republic had previously been violated by the German occupation. But out of consideration and sympathy for the sufferings and losses caused to the citizens of the Republic through the use of their territory by the German Armed Forces, Her Majesty's Government offered, first in June, 1949, and on three subsequent occasions, an ex gratia payment of £26,000 in final settlement of any claims against Her Majesty's Government. The Government of San Marino have not hitherto felt able to accept this offer.

Mr. Dalton

Would it not be more appropriate if we were to send this claim to the West German Government?

Mr. Nutting

The Government of San Marino have already asked us to support a claim which they intend to make against the German Federal Government, but no such claim has yet been made. In any case, as the right hon. Gentleman knows, Her Majesty's Government are precluded by the Paris Agreement of 1946 from making on their own behalf or on behalf of anybody else claims for further reparations on Germany pending a definite settlement.

Mr. Dalton

Yes, but could the Government not use their good offices with Dr. Adenauer to get him to pay up in this case?

Mr. Nutting

No claim has been made. Therefore, no question of using our good offices with Dr. Adenauer can arise.

Mr. Driberg

Can the hon. Gentleman give a rough indication of the extent of the damage, since £26,000 is a very small sum? Is it not true that this offer expires this coming Saturday, and if that is so will the hon. Gentleman consider extending the time?

Mr. Nutting

It is the case that this offer expires on 3rd July, which is tomorrow. We have felt bound to set some time limit upon the acceptance of the offer by the San Marinese Government because it has been pending since June, 1949. Her Majesty's Government wish to discharge their obligations towards the San Marinese people in this matter, but we cannot go on indefinitely making this offer.

Mr. S. Silverman

Could the hon. Gentleman say whether it is a fact that in the claim by the Republic of San Marino it was stated that the Allied Forces were the first to violate the boundary of the country and whether there is any evidence in support of that contention? Can he also say whether their claim against us is based upon that contention, and if those facts are not accepted by us, would it not be a suitable question to refer to some kind of international third party judgment.

Mr. Nutting

No, Sir. As regards the first part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary, the San Marinese Government have claimed that it was the Allied Forces who first violated their territory, but they have adduced no evidence whatsoever in support of that contention.

Mr. Driberg

Would the hon. Gentleman answer the first part of my supplementary question?

Sir H. Williams

Is it not a fact that the Government of San Marino are all Communists, and why should we finance the Communist cause?

Mr. Nutting

The Government of San Marino is dominated by the Communist Party, but nevertheless Her Majesty's Government feel that they should discharge their obligation to the San Marinese people.

Mr. Driberg

Would the hon. Gentleman be good enough to answer the first part of my original supplementary question?

Mr. Nutting

I beg the hon. Gentleman's pardon. So far as I am aware, this sum will cover the extent of the damage caused.