§ Sir R. Taskerasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that British firms who sold goods to Germany before the war had to accept property in Germany in payment for such goods; that these British firms had their premises confiscated by the Nazi Government before the outbreak of war, and that such firms were paid nominal compensation in blocked marks; and whether he is prepared to give the Enemy Trade Debts Committee power to make advances to such traders whose property has been so confiscated in the same way as advances are being made to those having goods immobilised in enemy territory and debts in respect of goods due from German firms, in order that such British firms may continue their export trade?
§ Sir K. WoodI am not aware of any general application of the principles referred to in the first two parts of the Question, though I am aware of a particular case (to which my hon. Friend referred in a Question to my predecessor on 1st February, 1940) where property was accepted by arrangement with a German importer. The answer to the last part of the Question is in the negative.