*THE EARL OP JERSEYMy Lords, I rise to ask the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is in a position to state what answer has been given by the German Government to the claim by Messrs. Burns, Philp & Co. for losses incurred in consequence of the Marshall Islands incidents. This matter was discussed in your Lordships' House some two years ago, † and I understand that His Majesty's Government did make last August an application to the German Government for a statement as to the grounds on which they had hitherto declined to pay. I should be glad to know if any reply has been received.
THE UNDER - SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Lord FITZMAURICE)My Lords, this matter has been the subject of communications with the German Government, but the final reply of the German Government with regard to these claims has not yet been received. His Majesty's Ambassador at Berlin has been instructed to recall the matter to their attention, and as soon as I hear anything definite I shall be glad to communicate it to the noble Earl. I can assure him that the matter has not been lost sight of.