§ 2. Professor Savoryasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the property of an Englishman in Sicily is being made to pay rates and taxes at the present time; and how these demands are to be met, in view of the fact that no money can be sent out of this country.
§ Mr. LawThe Italian banks entrusted with the management of British property during the state of war, including the period of armistice, attend to the payment of rates and taxes. I understand that, if the income from the property is insufficient to cover such purposes, the Italian banks make advances on standard commercial terms, pending the final settlement between His Majesty's Government and the Italian Government and the resumption of responsibility by the owners. No case is known where such advances have not been made as required, but I would be prepared to take up any such case in the appropriate quarter.
§ Professor SavoryHas my right hon. Friend considered the case, the details of which I handed to his Parliamentary Private Secretary?