§ LORD DAVIESMy Lords, I beg to ask my third question.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask His Majesty's Government if they can state whether securities and assets were lodged in this country by the Governments of the Baltic Republics before they became associated with the U.S.S.R.; whether the 433 ban upon the transfer of these assets will now be removed; and whether they are yet in a position to make a statement on this question.]
§ THE LORD CHANCELLOR (VISCOUNT SIMON)My Lords, I am not quite sure that I understand the first part of the noble Lord's question. The securities and assets affected by the Order in Council to which he refers are all those held in this country for any purpose by any person or body in the three Baltic States, and not merely those belonging to the Governments of these States and lodged here by them. I presume, however, that the noble Lord has in mind the assets which the Baltic State Banks entrusted to banks in this country. These, like the other Baltic assets, are still detained under the Order in Council; and, as discussions involving them are still proceeding with the Soviet Government, I regret that I am not yet in a position to make a statement on this question.
LORD STRABOLGIMy Lords, as my noble and learned friend is aware, there is a lot of uneasiness about the delay in settling this matter, and much satisfaction 434 will be felt by many people in this country if it can be quickly dealt with.
§ THE LORD CHANCELLORMy Lords, I do not myself know the circumstances in detail, but, as I have already said, discussions are still proceeding with the Soviet Government, and I imagine that it is necessary to reach an agreement. As the noble Lord will be aware, the Defence Finance Regulations contain a general provision which restricts the sending of assets in different forms out of the country, and therefore, of course, some special arrangement has to be made.