§ 9. Mr. A. Evansasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what arrangements have been made with the German authorities in the occupation zones to compensate British nationals for their property confiscated by the Nazi authorities during the war, and the amount of compensation so far paid.
§ Mr. NuttingIn the case of victims of Nazi persecution who subsequently became British subjects, the process of restoring confiscated property is well-advanced and the Bonn Conventions provide for maintaining the relevant Allied legislation. Where such property can no longer be identified, claims for compensation are provided for under German legislation which is to be maintained under the terms of the Conventions. As regards confiscated property of persons who were British subjects before the war, this has in almost all cases already been restored to its rightful owners and the Conventions provide for restoration in any remaining cases.
§ Mr. EvansIn relation to the first category mentioned by the hon. Gentleman, the people who became British subjects subsequently, when he tells the House that it is well advanced, does he mean that payments are actually being made?
§ Mr. NuttingIt means that payments have been made in a number of cases where the property has not been identifiable because it has been either lost or damaged beyond repair. In the case of property which is identifiable, it means that a good advance has been made in restoring that property to its owners.
§ Mr. EvansCould I ask the hon. Member to satisfy himself, in regard to the first category, that progress is really being made and that payments are advanced?