§ Mr. BROMLEYasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what action the Colonial Office proposes to take with reference to the payment of reparation to the subjects of Somaliland who Were serving in British vessels as seamen during the War and lost their effects by their Vessels being torpedoed; what amount of money has been allocated to the Colonial Office from the £5,300,000 voted by Parliament; and what contributions of money, if any, have been voted by the Government of British Somaliland to meet such claims?
§ Mr. AMERYNo part of the sums voted by Parliament to which the hon. Member refers was made available for grants to British nationals belonging to the Colonies and Protectorates, and it has not been found possible hitherto to provide any sums from Somaliland funds for the purpose of ex gratia grants to British nationals belonging to the Protectorate. A certain proportion of the moneys received from Germany in respect of reparation payments is attributable to the Colonies and Protectorates. The assessment of the claims received from the Colonies and Protectorates is now in hand and, as soon as it has been decided what portion of the amounts received from Germany is to be assigned to Somaliland, it will be possible to consider the question of ex gratia grants to individuals who are regarded as belonging to the Protectorate.