HC Deb 27 February 1945 vol 408 cc1231-2
49. Mr. Petherick

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will try to obtain an assurance from the French Government that it will not expropriate or otherwise take over assets held in Britain by those French nationals whose names he has agreed to give to that Government and which he obtained by means of the Trading with the Enemy Act.

59. Sir John Mellor

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will request an assurance from the French Government that it will not attempt to expropriate assets deposited in Britain by French nationals, whose names he obtained from bankers under emergency legislation and now proposes to disclose to that Government.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Sir J. Anderson)

The reply to both is "No, Sir." This is a matter for the French Government to decide.

Mr. Petherick

Is my right hon. Friend aware that he obtained these names under the Trading with the Enemy Act for a certain purpose, that he has parted with the names to the French Government for quite a different purpose, and that political repercussions abroad may have possibly a small immediate advantage with the French Government, but very long and bad repercussions in the long term?

Sir J. Anderson

As I have explained before, it was not a question of obtaining names. The actual assets came under the control of His Majesty's Government and the information to be given is information relating to those assets. My hon. Friend's question and the other question by my hon. Friend the Member for Tamworth (Sir J. Mellor) appear to suggest that His Majesty's Government should intervene between the French Government and their own nationals. That would surely be very difficult, particularly having regard to the action taken by His Majesty's Government in regard to assets of British subjects abroad.

Sir J. Mellor

Will not my right hon. Friend show some consideration for people who sent their property here for safe custody?

Sir J. Anderson

I am not aware that any lack of consideration is being shown by allowing the names of these nationals to be communicated to their own Government.