§ Sir H. BRITTAINasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the delay in the payment of dividends by the clearing office on agreed claims against the German Government, he will take all possible steps to expedite the payment of these dividends?
Mr. ALEXANDERI have been asked to reply. Claims by British nationals against the German Government under Article 297(h) of the Treaty of Versailles in respect of the proceeds of liquidation of their property in Germany, are paid in full by the British Clearing Office on admission by the German Clearing Office, or on an award by the Anglo-German Mixed Arbitral Tribunal. As regards claims against the German Government for compensation under Article 297(e), which in most cases are complementary to claims for proceeds of liquidation, all 614W awards of £50 and under are paid in full, and a further dividend of 7s. 6d. in the £ was paid by the British Clearing Office last week on awards exceeding £50, making, with previous dividends paid, a total distribution to date of 15s. in the £. A further dividend will be paid as and when sufficient funds are available.