§ 40. Mr. Ernest Daviesasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the arbitrator appointed by the International Court to advise on certain claims to gold looted by the Germans from Rome in 1943 has yet reported.
§ Mr. Selwyn LloydNo, Sir; but my right hon. Friend is inquiring how soon the arbitrator's decision may be expected.
§ Mr. DaviesDoes not the Minister of State recall that last July he expressed the 1008 hope that the arbitrator would give his decision in a few weeks, as did the Foreign Secretary in October? Can the right hon. and learned Gentleman explain the reason for this delay in settling the Corfu Channel matter?
§ Mr. LloydThe arbitration itself was concluded, but we are still awaiting a decision. We are doing what we can to get it as quickly as possible.
§ Mr. DaviesDoes the right hon. and learned Gentleman now realise the complexity of this matter, and has he convinced his colleagues of its complexity in view of the fact that in the past they were endeavouring to tell us how to settle it even by the use of force if necessary?