Mr. DOYLEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether payment for compensation for damage to property sequestrated in Germany is being paid to British nationals in accordance with the judgment of the Mixed Arbitral 625W Tribunal; if not, whether there is a time limit by which the Germans have to pay and, consequently, payment need only be paid at their pleasure; and, in view of the great hardship this condition of affairs is causing to many British nationals who have been so seriously affected by this prolonged delay, whether the British Government will put pressure upon the German Government to carry out their obligations promptly?
§ Mr. BALDWINPayment of amounts awarded in respect of compensation by the Anglo - German Mixed Arbitral Tribunal, under Article 297 (e), is charged upon the proceeds of liquidation of German property in this country. This property, however, is subjected to prior charges in favour of admitted debts and proceeds of liquidation of British property in Germany, and until His Majesty's Government are satisfied that these prior charges are reasonably secured, it will be necessary to delay the payment of compensation awards. There is no time limit under the Treaty by which such payment has to be made.
§ Sir H. NIELDasked the President of the Board of Trade whether any payments have been made by the German Government for compensation in respect of businesses of British nationals which were sequestrated by the German Government, and for which judgment has been awarded by the Anglo-German Mixed Arbitral Tribunal; if not, whether under the terms of the Treaty of Versailles there is no limit of time by which such payment has to be made; whether in consequence of such omission the German Government can defer their payments indefinitely; and whether the British Government are prepared to put pressure upon the German Government to comply promptly with their obligations?
§ Mr. BALDWINI would refer to the answer which I gave to-day on this subject to the hon. Member for Newcastle North (Mr. Doyle).