asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the Mixed Arbitral Tribunal recently decided that the Hungarian Government was liable to British subjects for the payment of all their dividends which became due on the secured debt during the War; why the Hungarian Clearing Office has not yet admitted the claims affected by this decision; and will he, if no credits in respect of those claims have yet been received by the administrator of Hungarian property, lodge a protest with the Hungarian Government?

I have been asked to reply. The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Immediately the decision referred to was given, the British Clearing Office addressed a note to the Hungarian office requesting an early credit in respect of these dividends, and a reply has been received, promising that the matter shall be dealt with expeditiously.

Is this not further evidence that the Hungarian Government are deliberately adopting dilatory tactics in order to weary British claimants and make them drop their claims; and is it not time that the Foreign Office took a strong line on this matter?

I think I have already shown in my answer that we have made representations, and they have pledged their word to deal with the matter expeditiously.

If I put a further question a fortnight hence, will the hon. Gentleman get a definite answer as to what is being done?