HC Deb 08 November 1954 vol 532 cc846-7
18. Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what compensation has been paid by the Guatemalan Government in respect of the bombing of the British steamer s.s. "Springfjord," off the port of San José on 27th June last.

Sir Anthony Eden

On 16th October the Guatemalan Minister for Foreign Affairs stated that his Government were prepared to discuss with Her Majesty's Government the payment of a reasonable sum in compensation, and that the new Guatemalan Minister in London would receive instructions to pursue this matter. A claim for compensation, of which the details are being worked out by the various interested parties, will be presented in due course.

Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

Is the Foreign Secretary telling us that the amount of the claim has not yet been decided? Has no specific amount of claim yet been formulated?

Sir A. Eden

What I stated was that the Guatemalan Government are prepared to discuss the payment with us, and I think that is a step forward. If everything went like that, I should not have so much cause for complaint.