§ 54. Mr. T. Reidasked the President of the Board of Trade what amount of teak has been exported from Burma to Britain since the Government of Burma, in June, 1948, took over the exploitation of its forests; and to what extent British firms' assets in this industry have been paid for.
§ Mr. MackesonImports into the United Kingdom from Burma of sawn teak, not further prepared, which forms the bulk of our imports of teak from that country, amounted to 1.1 million cubic feet, valued at £2 million, during the period July, 1948, to October, 1952, inclusive.
As regards the second part of the Question, payment has now been made in respect of assets taken over in June, 1948, to the three British companies which agreed, pusuant to a judicial award, to settle their claims for rather less than 50 per cent. of the amount claimed; the 1279 other two companies concerned have, I understand, just accepted a similar settlement and payment is expected shortly.