§ Mr. HANNONasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the Hotel Villas, Ste. Cecile, Northern France, which was run prior to the War by a company incorporated and registered at Guernsey, was occupied during the War by the British Lewis-gun school, which completely wrecked the hotel for its former use, in consequence of which it is now standing empty and dilapidated, the furniture having been sold by the British Government as surplus War stock, whereas the company owning the hotel have received on compensation whatsoever; whether any application has been received by His Majesty's Government for compensation in this instance; and whether, in the interests of the British shareholders in the company, he will take steps to ascertain whether any award can be made to the company?
§ Mr. WALSHI must not be assumed to assent to all the suggestions contained in this question, but I am aware that a claim has been made, and that both the assessment of the Claims Commission, and an offer that the case should be referred for arbitration lay the War Compensation Court, have been refused by the claimants. A sum of 75,000 francs has, however, been paid on account. I understand that the claimants have entered an action in the French Courts, and I am therefore precluded from making any further statement at present.