§ Sir H. NIELDasked the Home Secretary what is the reason for the persistent and continued delay in his Department in issuing a fiat to M. Abraham Efros to 1397W enable him to prosecute his claim against the British Government to obtain repayment of two sums of £15,000 respectively advanced on the credit of the British Government for operations in Russia in July and August, 1918; and, seeing that the claims have not been repudiated, will he state the reason for not acceding to the formal application for a fiat to sue made on the 16th April last?
Mr. HENDERSONThis Petition of Right was received in the Home Office on the 17th April and was dealt with on the same day. After a necessary exchange of communications with the Foreign Office the petition was referred to the Attorney-General, whose report was received by me on the 13th instant and has already been submitted to His Majesty for his fiat. In view of these facts I cannot understand the hon. Member's reference to continued and persistent delay in issuing a fiat. I must point out also that the application for His Majesty's fiat is not a mere formality as suggested in the last part of the question.