49. Mr. MACLEANasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that properties owned by foreigners in Rumania and Czecho-Slovakia were nationalised by the Governments of those countries, and that the compensation paid was accepted as satisfactory by the 996 previous owners; were any complaints received by the British Government from any British owners; and, seeing that diplomatic relations are in existence between this country and Rumania and Czecho-Slovakia, will he state whether, in the event of the Russian Government agreeing to compensation of foreign owners of nationalised property on the lines of Czecho-Slovakia and Rumania, the British Government will establish similar diplomatic relations with Soviet Russia?
§ The PRIME MINISTERBoth the Rumanian and Czecho-Slovak Governments have taken powers to expropriate landowners in their respective countries, including foreign subjects. Negotiations are still proceeding with the Rumanian Government in regard to the compensation due to the British subjects whose land has been taken. In Czecho-Slovakia the Government have not yet actually exercised their powers of expropriation against the British-owned estates. As regards the last part of the question, I have nothing to add to the statement which I made on the 26th instant.
Mr. MACLEANDoes not the right hon. Gentleman realise that this is an unfair method of dealing with other countries, in that certain countries have official diplomatic representation and another country has not, although it might be willing to compensate on the same lines as Czecho-Slovakia and Rumania? My question is whether the British Government, provided the Russian Government is willing to act on the same lines as those two other Governments, are willing to recognise it to the same extent as those two other Governments? I should like to have an answer, please.
§ The PRIME MINISTERIt is clearly a matter which cannot be answered across the Floor of the House. It is a question which involves a good deal of argument.