HC Deb 23 November 1960 vol 630 cc1113-4
13. Dr. A. Thompson

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will investigate the claim of Mrs. Louisa Livingstone, Shaw Street, Dunfermline, whose parents, sisters and brother were put to death during the German occupation of Poland and Austria, and their property confiscated; and why no settlement over compensation has yet been reached in this case, which was first submitted to the Foreign Office by her agents, the National Commercial Bank of Scotland Limited, on 5th March, 1956.

Mr. Heath

Mrs. Livingstone's claim against the Polish Government was considered by the Foreign Compensation Commission in 1957. The property in question was situated in the Eastern territories of Poland, which were ceded to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in 1946. Since there was no evidence of any expropriation of the property by the Polish Government, the Foreign Compensation Commission dismissed the claim.

Dr. Thompson

Is not the Minister aware that since then the claim has been referred to the enemy property branch of the finance division of the Board of Trade, and that the National Commercial Bank of Scotland has had no answers to letters, one written a year ago and one nine months ago, sent to this branch? Is he aware that this unfortunate woman's family, including a sister aged 12½ and the baby daughter of another sister, were slaughtered by the Germans; that her property was confiscated in turn by the Germans, the Poles and the Russians, and that the claim has been referred from one Department to another for four years? Is he aware that she has travelled to London for an interview without success and has received hardly any help or guidance——

Mr. Speaker

Order. I hope that the hon. Member can abbreviate his supplementary question.

Dr. Thompson

Will the Minister promise to consult these various boards, in view of the fact that the correspondence was originally addressed to his Department, and try to secure a settlement?

Mr. Heath

This is a very sad case and also necessarily a very technical and complicated case. I have explained why it has not been possible to help Mrs. Livingstone so far, and I shall certainly inquire into what is happening.