§ Mr. GARDNERasked the Prime Minister whether, in considering the revision of reparations under the Peace Treaties, he will direct his attention to the suspension of attachments under Articles 296 and 297 of the Treaty of Versailles and corresponding Articles under other Treaties with ex-enemy countries; and whether His Majesty's Government propose to revise the regulations under such Treaties pursuant to which the Blanesburgh Committee recommend the release of assets in this country of ex-alien enemy subjects expressly named in a will or settlement up to £500, and income according to the circumstances of the applicant, but not the release of assets to beneficiaries entitled to such assets by implication as in the case of children claiming the share of a deceased parent expressly named?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe ex-enemy property which has been charged under the provisions of Article 297 of the Treaty of Versailles and the corresponding provisions of the other Treaties of Peace is employed for the payment of the admitted claims of British nationals in respect of pre-War debts and of property, rights and interests subjected to exceptional War measures in the ex-enemy countries. Any surplus which may remain over after these claims have been met will be reckoned as a credit in respect of reparation obligations. His Majesty's Government is unable to entertain any proposals for a general release of the charged property With regard to the second part of the question, the answer is also in the negative. The suggestion here made has been carefully considered, and it has been decided that no extension of the powers of recommendation of Lord Blanesburgh's Committee is desirable.