§ 42. Mr. Wallasked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make a further statement on the progress which has been made in desequestrating property of British nationals by the Egyptian Government; how many British nationals have been allowed to take capital out of Egypt under the terms of the financial settlement; and when he expects to be able to finalise the claims for compensation.
§ Mr. HeathAccording to our latest reports from Cairo, 4,875 applications 978 had been submitted up to 28th February, 4,238 applications had been accepted, and 3,053 Release Agreements had been signed or were ready for signature.
I cannot say how many British nationals have made transfers of capital under Article V of the Financial Agreement, because there is no obligation on the persons concerned or on the Government of the United Arab Republic to supply this information to Her Majesty's Government.
Claims for compensation cannot be finally dealt with until all property formerly under sequestration has been returned and the owners have submitted all claims for compensation that may arise to the Foreign Compensation Commission. I cannot say when this will be.
§ Mr. WallCan my right hon. Friend say whether he is satisfied that the terms of the Agreement are being observed and that British nationals have been allowed to take out the £5,000 to which they are entitled? Can my right hon. Friend give some idea when all this matter will be cleared up? Is it not a fact that the Egyptian Government and the British Government would welcome a final settlement of these claims?
§ Mr. HeathI am sure that we should all welcome a final settlement but the difficulties are well known. There have also been certain difficulties in the actual administration of this Agreement. These are under discussion in Cairo between members of the U.A.R. Administration and Sir George Rendel who has gone out from the Foreign Office for that purpose.
§ Mr. LiptonIs it not a fact that all kinds of difficulties are being put in the way of a settlement of these claims by the Egyptian Government and other authorities in Cairo? Is it not intolerable that the British Government should have been dealt with in this way?
§ Mr. HeathThe hon. Member is going too far in saying that difficulties have been put in the way but certainly in the operation of the Agreement there have been snags which we are trying to remove.
§ Sir H. Legge-BourkeIn the cases which have been dealt with, would my right hon. Friend say what the sum was in relation to the sum claimed and whether he is satisfied with the difference?