§ Mr. REMERasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that British owners of works, in Lille destroyed during the German occupation have been refused assistance by the French Government in the work of reconstruction, as provided for in the Peace Treaty, on the ground of their British nationality; why, under such circumstances, the British Government have refused assistance; and whether he will take such steps to see that justice is done in these cases?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI understand that the French Government have made legislative provision for advances in aid of the reconstruction of industry in the devastated areas in France. This is quite independent of any provisions of the Treaty, which does not impose upon them any such obligation as is suggested in the first part of the Question. On the second and third parts of the Question I must refer my hon. Friend to the answers given to similar questions on the 20th November and 18th December to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for the Rye Division of Sussex. Particulars of losses suffered by the British owners of works in France and Belgium destroyed by the Germans—if not already furnished—should be sent at once to the Board of Trade, which will be responsible for putting forward the British Government's claim for reparation in respect of them to the British Reparation Commission for submission to the Commission.