§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to a semi-official statement issued in Berlin calling upon all German holders of stocks, shares, or property in the Allied countries to make a return of the same with a view to their being taken over by the German Government in accordance with the terms of the Peace Treaty; and whether, if this be intended to apply to British-born wives of Germans who hold property in their own right in this country, steps can be taken to safeguard the rights of these women and to see that they get compensation?
§ Sir R. HORNEThe returns in question appear to be required by Germany in order to comply with the Treaty obligation to deliver to each Allied or Associated Power all securities, certificates, deeds or other documents of title held by German nationals and relating to property rights and interests situated in the territory of that Allied or Associated Power. The property of German nationals within His Majesty's Dominion is charged with payment of debts owing to and compensation payable to British nationals, but there is power under the Treaty of Peace Order, 1919, to release any particular property rights or interests from the charge.