§ Captain THORPEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can hold out any hopes of early compensation to dependants, either from enemy funds or otherwise, in respect of lives lost in the sinking of the royal mail steam packet "Leinster" by enemy action on 10th October, 1918?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINAs my hon. Friend is aware, the whole question of German reparation payments is engaging the attention of the Allied Powers at the present time, and will be under discussion at the forthcoming London Conference. As I have previously explained, the date at which payments can begin to be made to individual sufferers depends on the prior receipt of money from Germany.
§ Captain W. BENNasked the Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs what progress has been made in settling 584W the claims of seamen under the Clause of the Peace Treaty which provides for reparation?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe British Delegate to the Preparation Commission has been furnished with particulars of the claims in respect of which compensations can, in His Majesty's Government's opinion, be demanded by them from Germany, under the Reparation Clauses of the Treaty. They are being dealt with by the Commission with a view to the presentation to the German Government on 1st May next in accordance with the Treaty of its findings as to the extent of that Government's obligations.