HC Deb 20 March 1950 vol 472 cc1552-3
58. Mr. Weitzman

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any claim has been made, or is proposed to be made, to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics for the payment of compensation to Mr. Yolles, a British subject, of 2 Wilderton Road, N.16, whose property in Rowne, Eastern Poland, to the value of£10,000, was taken over by the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, and who has been pressing his Department to make such claim since January, 1946.

Mr. Ernest Davies

I understand that the property claimed by Mr. Yolles was nationalised by the National Assembly of the Western Ukraine in 1939. In 1940 His Majesty's Government formally reserved their right to claim from the Soviet Government full indemnification in respect of property of British subjects affected by such nationalisation. Since then the whole question of private British claims against the Soviet Union has been under continual review, but I can make no statement about the posibility of settlement.

Mr. Weitzman

Is my hon. Friend aware that the Soviet Embassy informed this gentleman that they are awaiting negotiations to he opened by His Majesty's Government and that His Majesty's Government, on the other hand, through letters, have informed this gentleman from 1946 that the matter is under consideration? Is there any chance of it reaching finality in other near future?

Mr. Davies

It is not for an official of the Soviet Embassy here to decide when such negotiations shall be opened. It is a matter for Moscow, and these negotiations are not in course at the present time.