§ 20. Mr. Harold Daviesasked the President of the Board of Trade when the firms in this country who have not yet obtained satisfaction of enemy debts due to them from Italian sources may expect to receive payment.
§ Mr. H. WilsonArrangements have now been concluded by the Italian Government to give effect to Article 3 of the Anglo-Italian Property and Debt Agreement of the 17th April, 1947, and the payment of debts to British creditors has already begun. It is not possible to say when any particular debts will be paid, although the arrangements contemplate, in general, that the first debts to be paid will be those which have been outstanding longest.
§ Mr. DaviesCan my right hon. Friend tell me whether the payment of some £50,000 from Italy to South Wales coal exporters has started?
§ Mr. WilsonI could not answer a question about individual creditors. If my hon. Friend will let me have details of what he has in mind I will look into them.