HC Deb 24 June 1959 vol 607 cc1170-1
18. Mr. Wall

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many British individuals have now been de-sequestrated by the Egyptian Government.

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

The latest information given by the British Property Commission in Cairo is that the de-sequestration authorities have received applications from 514 individuals and 116 firms. Of these, 47 individuals and 19 firms have already signed release agreements.

Mr. Wall

Will my right hon. Friend say whether the numbers he has quoted are reasonably satisfactory in view of the time which has elapsed?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

I think that they are, because desequestration is a fairly complicated process and I do not think that it can be hurried to any great extent. They are making reasonably good progress.