HC Deb 10 April 1941 vol 370 cc1721-2W
Mr. Hall-Caine

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the French and Italian Governments are seizing and disposing of properties belonging to British subjects, many of whom have left their entire fortunes in one or other of these countries; and whether His Majesty's Government will give an assurance to ease the minds of these people that funds held in this country on behalf of these Governments and other nationals will be used to compensate such losers of properties seized by either of the Governments in question?

Captain Crookshank

Information as to the measures taken by the French and Italian Governments in regard to properties belonging to British subjects is incomplete,

Name. Post. Emoluments.
Ministry of Agriculture.
Lord Addison … … … Chairman, Bucks County War Agricultural Committee. Honorarium at £500 p.a.
Lord Cranworth … … Chairman, Land Fertility Committee. Fee of five guineas a day when engaged on business of the Committee, plus travelling and subsistence expenses.
Lord Roche … … … Chairman, Agricultural Wages Board. Ditto.
Ministry of Aircraft Production.
Ben Smith, Esq, M.P. … … Labour Adviser £200 p.a. expenses allowance.
Colonial Office.
H.R.H. the Duke of Windsor … Governor and Commander in Chief, Bahamas. £3,000 p.a. salary, £300 p.a. duty allowance, free residence.
Lord Hailey … … … Mission on Native Administrations in Africa. Honorarium at £2,000 p.a.
Dominions Office.
Earl of Athlone … … … Governor General and Commander in Chief, Dominion of Canada. $48,666 p.a. salary, free residence.
Lord Gowrie … … … Governor General and Commander in Chief, Commonwealth of Australia. £9,850 p.a. salary, free residence.
Lord Wakehurst … … … Governor, New South Wales £5,000 p.a. salary, free residence.

but I am not in possession of any positive evidence that they go beyond the limits of sequestration such as has been applied in this country. As regards the second part of the Question it would be premature to attempt to anticipate precisely what arrangements will be made after the war, but it will be the object of His Majesty's Government to safeguard British interests to the fullest possible extent.