§ Mr. TILLETTasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is now in a position to indicate the intentions of the Government with regard to the payment of compensation to Mr. Joseph Martin, a British citizen, who was imprisoned from 7th November, 1919, to 6th March, 1920, by the Soviet Government of Russia, and who is now blind, as the result of typhus fever contracted during the period he was in prison; and, in view of the suffering which Mr. Martin has had to endure, and his present afflictions which make it difficult for him to earn his livelihood, will he endeavour to announce a decision at. an early date?
§ Mr. PONSONBYThe Secretary of State proposes to suggest to the Soviet Government that this, and similar claims put forward by persons in necessitous circumstances, should be considered as soon as possible after the forthcoming negotiations are begun, but, of course, it is not possible to say if they will agree.
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