HC Deb 04 April 1950 vol 473 c1004
49. Colonel Crosthwaite-Eyre

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amounts of foreign currency or sterling accruing to this country as a result of agreements made by His Majesty's Government for the compensation of British interests nationalised or expropriated by Governments in Eastern Europe, and of this sum how much is transferable and convertible, respectively.

Sir S. Cripps

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the Agreement with Czechoslovakia dated 28th September, 1949 (Cmd. 7797) and to the Agreements with Yugoslavia dated 23rd December, 1948, and 26th December, 1949 (Cmd. 7600 and 7875). Under these agreements sums of £8 million and £4½ million are payable to His Majesty's Government by Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia respectively in sterling by instalments. These are spread over nine years in the case of Czechoslovakia and eight years in the case of Yugoslavia. The Agreement with Poland of 14th January, 1949, (Cmd. 7628), provides that until 1953 a proportion of Poland's sterling receipts from exports to this country shall be set aside and used in agreement with Poland for payment of compensation and other debts. It is expected that His Majesty's Government will receive about £5¾ million in this period.

All these amounts are in sterling; the last part of the Question does not, therefore, arise.

Colonel Crosthwaite-Eyre

Can the Chancellor say whether the terms of these Command Papers to which he is referring are being carried out by the countries concerned?

Sir S. Cripps

As far as I am aware, but if the hon. and gallant Gentleman has any information to the contrary, perhaps he will put a question down.