§ Mr. STEWARTasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the terms of reference of the Royal Commission on Compensation for Suffering and Damage by Enemy Action which appeared in the "London Gazette" of 16th August last were submitted to and approved by the Reparation Claims Department; whether the Royal Commission were denied powers to deal with seamen's claims for wages during illegal detention in Germany, together with cost of pareels of food and clothing, which were held by the Reparation Claims Department to have been omitted from the Treaty of Peace; and whether, in accordance with the statement of the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 4th May, 1920, steps will be taken to have the case for compensation of the claimants referred to fully considered 1253W with a view to making payments to such claimants out of the reparation fund as an act of grace?
§ Sir R. HORNEThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and to the second part of the question in the negative. The Royal Commission's terms of reference follow the terms of the statement made in the House of Commons on the subject on 4th May, 1920, and the Royal Commission have full power to consider whether such claims come within their terms of reference, and, if so, what grants, if any, to recommend.