HC Deb 16 December 1919 vol 123 cc266-8W
Sir HERBERT NIELD

asked the Attorney-General whether he will direct his attention to the case of one David Rotenberg, a Polish subject, domiciled in Belgium at the outbreak of the War, and a member of the Diamond Club of Antwerp; is he aware that the six parcels of polished diamonds contained in a packet bearing the registered number Scheveningen 417 consigned by Mr. Rotenberg to Messrs. Mnuchin and Ancelovitch, formed the subject of a seizure notice to that firm on the 7th December, 1915, and that proceedings for their condemnation were subsequently instituted in the name of His Majesty's Attorney-General in the High Court, judgment being signed on the 19th May, 1916; is he aware that no notice of such proceedings was given to, or received, by Mr. Rotenberg; whether he is aware that the goods had been purchased by Mr. David Rotenberg from Mr. Charles Yacob, also a member of the Diamond Club of Antwerp, and certified by the burgomaster of that city as manufactured in that city before the War, and consequently before the issue of Regulations prohibiting the importation of diamonds into this country; and whether he will state the amount realised from the sale of such goods and, in the circumstances, direct that the proceeds be paid to Mr. Rotenberg or his duly authorised agents?

Sir G. HEWART

My attention has been directed to this case, and there does not appear to be any sufficient reason for the reopening of the matter at this date.