HC Deb 28 July 1943 vol 391 cc1608-9W
Lieut.-Colonel Marlowe

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether lie is aware that the claim of Mr. Joseph Martin was one of three personal injury claims investigated and taken up by the British Government with the foreign Government concerned and compensation found to be due before May, 1923; that the British Government thereby acknowledged the validity of the claim; that the then Foreign Secretary by not putting forward this claim on 2nd May, 1923, with the other two, rendered the British Government liable to make good to Mr. Martin the compensation which he probably would have received at the same time as the other claimants; and, as Mr. Martin has awaited compensation for over 20 years, is blind and nearly 70 years old, will he either compensate Mr. Martin or submit his claim in equity to an independent tribunal?

Mr. Law

As regards the first, third and fourth parts of this Question, I would invite my hon. arid gallant Friend's attention to my reply of 6th May, 1942; and once more to the remarks referred to therein which my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Education, then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, made on the subject in the course of the Debate on the Adjournment on 9th May, 1940; also to the replies given by the latter to my hon. friend's predecessor on 5th June and 19th June, 940, respectively. To these replies I have nothing to add. As regards the second part of the Question, the answer is "No, Sir."