§ Sir G. JONESasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that for reasons of economy a preference was given by the Anglo-Hungarian Clearing Office for enemy debts to all persons whose accepted claims were for under £5 in that they were paid off in full at once, he will state what grounds he has for not taking a similar course for a similar purpose by paying 1178W off in full forthwith the balance of individual claims where the sum unpaid is less than £25?
§ Mr. W. R. SMITHThe procedure referred to in the first part of the question which was adopted in 1923 involved the payment of the first £5 in full on all claims, not merely the payment of claims not exceeding £5. An additional dividend was paid at the same time on all other claims. The proposal which the hon. Member now makes would result in unduly preferential treatment of certain claimants all of whom have already received 15s. 10d. in the £, and would effect no appreciable economy.