§ Mr. BRITTONasked the First Lord of the Treasury if he is aware that many British-born subjects were carrying on shipping and other businesses in Belgium for a considerable number of years before their enforced flight in 1914, and have not only been deprived of these businesses but, owing to German action, have suffered the loss of their entire capital and assets, including the moneys to their credit in Belgian banks, together with their homes, and that they are consequently prevented from resuming or endeavouring to recover their lost trade for the want of means; and whether the large available surplus of German money in Great Britain as against British money in Germany could be used to relieve this situation pending any settlement of claims already deposited with the Foreign Secretary or, at any rate, to replace bank credits?
§ Sir A. GEDDESI have been asked to reply. The returns made to the Public Trustee do not, I am afraid, bear out the suggestion made by the hon. Member that there will be a large available surplus of German assets in this country after the payment through the Clearing Office of debts and claims, and I fear that in any case it would not be possible to set apart funds for the settlement of any particular class of claims.