Sir J. DAVIDSONasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that, while assistance has been freely granted by the British delegates, no progress is being made by British claimants before the Paris Commission towards obtaining a settlement of their claims against Turkey; whether he will ascertain the cause of such delay; whether he will take such action, in conjunction with the other interested Powers, as will lead to the facilitating of early settlement; and whether he is 56W aware that British claimants have already incurred considerable expense in preferring their claims?
§ Mr. RONALD McNEILLI am informed that the Inter-Allied Commission on the Assessment of Damage Suffered in Turkey is proceeding continuously with the assessment both of British and other claims, and that it is not the case that no progress is being made. It must be remembered that the Commission has to consider some 15,000 claims, many of which raise complicated questions of fact or of law, and that each case has to be examined by the French and Italian, as well as by the British member of the Commission before an award can be made. I am bound to add that, after full allowance is made for these difficulties, the rate of progress recorded up to date seems far from satisfactory. The British delegate has recently expressed to the Commission his concern at the constant delay in dealing with important questions submitted to the Commission, and His Majesty's Government trust that as a result of his representations, with which they are in full agreement, the work of the Commission will be expedited. They will continue to press that all possible steps should be taken to ensure this result.