§ 2.35 p.m.
VISCOUNT ELIBANKMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government if they will state the present position relating to the pre-war claims of British nationals against Japan and whether any satisfaction has been received from the Japanese Government in respect of those justifiable claims since the visit of the Japanese Prime Minister to the United Kingdom in July.]
THE LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL AND SECRETARY OF STATE FOR COMMONWEALTH RELATIONS (THE EARL OF HOME)My Lords, the present position is that negotiations are still proceeding with the Japanese Government. The answer to the second part of the noble Viscount's Question is, therefore, No.
VISCOUNT ELIBANKMy Lords, I thank the noble Earl for his unsatisfactory Answer. Is the noble Earl aware that I raised this matter in July and that the noble Marquess, Lord Lansdowne, said that negotiations were going on at that time. Can the noble Earl give any indication as to when these negotiations are coming to an end? Is he aware that many of us who have known Japan and the Japanese for a long time feel that there is no justification for these long delays, even if they are eminently characteristic of the Japanese race?
THE EARL OF HOMEMy Lords, I do not want to give an unsatisfactory 870 answer. I am afraid all I could do was to give the noble Viscount the facts. The facts are that the negotiations are still going on. I believe that there have been certain difficulties arising out of the drafting of an agreement, and these have delayed the exchanges between the two Governments. I can only hope with the noble Viscount that these will be hurried up.
VISCOUNT ELIBANKMay I ask the noble Earl, with respect, whether he is aware that £3 million sterling was deposited with the Bank of England by Japan, and cannot a lien on £1 million of that be taken to satisfy pre-war claims against the Japanese?
THE EARL OF HOMEMy Lords, I should like to see that Question on the Order Paper. This question was about negotiations that are at present proceeding.