HC Deb 28 July 1922 vol 157 cc832-3W
Sir E. BARTLEY-DENNISS

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, having regard to Article 232 of the treaty whereby Germany undertakes that she will make compensation for all, damage done to the civilian population and their property during the period of the War, the amount of £5,000,000 allocated by the Government for distribution amongst British claimants for compensation in respect of losses by ex-enemy action is the total sum to be so distributed; or, having regard to the fact that claims under this head aggregate, approximately, £50,000,000, any further sums are to be set aside from German reparation payments to meet the claims, more particularly of British nationals carrying an business in and within territories invaded by the enemy and whose property in those territories was destroyed or confiscated; and, if so, will he give particulars of such sums?

Sir R. HORNE

The relation between the liability assumed by Germany under Article 232 of the Treaty of Versailles and the claims of individual British nationals (including British nationals doing business in invaded territories), for compensation in respect of losses by ex-enemy action, was fully set out in the answer (of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy) given by my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House in reply to the hon. Member for the Ladywood Division of Birmingham (Mr. N. Chamberlain) on the 4th May, 1920. The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and to the second part in the negative. The third part, therefore, does not arise.

Captain W. BENN

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can state upon what calculations the Reparations Commission base their claim against Germany; whether such calculations took into account pensions and allowances; and, if so, for what amount?

Sir R. HORNE

In reply to the first part of the question, the Reparation Commission fixed the liability of Germany in respect of Reparation after considering the claims of all the Allied Governments submitted under Annex I to Part VIII of the Treaty of Versailles. The amounts of such claims were as set out in the answer (of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy) given by my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House on the 8th March, 1921, in reply to the hon. and gallant Member for the Waterloo Division of Lancashire (Mr. D. Herbert). I am unable to supply the particulars asked for in the last part of the question. The liability fixed, which was far below the full amount claimed, was decided by the Reparation Commission on a general survey of all the circumstances, and definite figures were not established in respect of specific items.