HC Deb 27 November 1957 vol 578 c1151
35. Major Wall

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps Her Majesty's Government are taking to obtain compensation for British subjects whose property has been sequestrated by the Egyptian Government.

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

As my hon. Friend explained in reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Fife, West (Mr. Hamilton) on 31st October. Her Majesty's Government are discussing in the Anglo-Egyptian financial talks in Rome the desequestration of British property in Egypt and compensation where this is due. Those talks are still in progress.

Major Wall

Would my right hon. Friend agree that the desequestration of a business where the goodwill has been lost is not of much value to the owner? Will he press for compensation rather than desequestration in these circumstances?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

That is precisely one of the matters that have been put to the Egyptian delegation.