HC Deb 14 June 1944 vol 400 c1950
5. Major-General Sir Alfred Knox

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can give any information of the result of his approach to the Argentine Government regarding the proposal to confiscate the assets of the Primitiva Company.

Mr. Eden

The legal expropriation of the company's installations in Buenos Aires was decreed on 13th April and failing direct agreement between the parties it now falls to the Argentine Supreme Court to determine the compensation payable to the company. In this respect the company's representatives have received satisfactory assurances from the Argentine authorities who have been left in no doubt of the importance which His Majesty's Government attach to their fulfilment.

Sir A. Knox

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that, apart from the interests of individual shareholders, these overseas investments, owing to the loss of other British investments overseas, will be of great national importance after the war?

Mr. Eden

I entirely endorse that.