HC Deb 24 October 1956 vol 558 cc620-1
16. Lieut-Colonel Lipton

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether compensation has now been paid by the Jordanian Government for damage to British property during the riots in December and January last.

Mr. Dodds-Parker

No, Sir.

Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

Is there not a great deal of delay in settling this claim? Could Her Majesty's Government not consider taking the amount of this claim from the next instalment of the £12 million subsidy that they are still paying to this rather unfriendly Government?

Mr. Dodds-Parker

There can be no question of taking the compensation, which is still under negotiation, from the subsidy which we pay in accordance with our obligation under the Anglo-Jordanian Treaty to the Jordan Arab Army. I agree with the hon. and gallant Member that it would be very much better if a small sum like this, £520, could be paid.