§ 13. Mr. E. Fletcherasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will now inform the House of the arrangements made with the Bonn Government for dealing with the former assets of Herr Krupp and his compensation.
§ Mr. Selwyn LloydI have nothing at present to add to the reply given to the hon. Member on 21st January. A full statement will be made at the earliest possible moment. As regards the hon. Member's reference to "compensation," I would refer him to the answer given to the hon. Member for Coventry, South (Miss Burton) on 12th November, when it was explained that no question of compensation arises. Herr Krupp will receive the proceeds of the sale of his coal and steel assets.
§ Mrs. CastleIs the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that it was on 15th October that his right hon. Friend first gave an assurance to the House that action would be taken to deal with this matter and that repeated requests have since been made for a progress report? Cannot the Minister give us something more substantial than the evasive remarks which we have had?
§ Mr. LloydThis certainly was not a very easy situation which we inherited. So far as pressure to arrive at a solution is concerned, I can say that it was discussed between my right hon. Friend and Professor Hallstein, the Federal German Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, during the latter's recent visit to London.