HC Deb 08 February 1915 vol 69 c259W
Mr. NIELD

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will introduce legislation as a matter of urgency to amend the Trading with the Enemy Act to provide that in all eases where a registered alien enemy, or an alien enemy naturalised within twenty years past, seeks to recover judgment for any liquidated demand the Court shall, instead of giving judgment for payment, order the amount to be brought into Court with power to direct payment out of such portions from time to time as may be necessary for the maintenance of the plaintiff and those dependent on him, so as to ensure that the aid of the Courts of the United Kingdom should not be used to recover moneys which by various devices might ultimately be remitted to the enemy country?

Sir J. SIMON

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. Parliament has enacted elaborate provisions to guard against the danger which the hon. and learned Member fears, and these provisions are being rigorously enforced. I do not think amendment in the direction suggested is needed, nor would the suggestion be easy to carry out, but I shall be glad to consider the hon. and learned Member's proposal carefully.