HC Deb 12 December 1946 vol 431 cc291-2W
Sir E. Graham-Little

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will investigate the case, details of which have been submitted, of a German doctor of medicine, who escaped from the Germany in 1938, leaving behind him property, including bonds mainly in British War Loan and Danish Government Loans, which are at present blocked by the Control Office for Germany and Austria who have rejected applications by the owner for removal of these restrictions; and if he will restore this property.

Mr. J. Hynd

I have looked into this case. All foreign exchange assets held in Germany have been taken into custody under a law of the Allied Control Council Those held by Germans in Germany are to be retained against claims under the Peace Treaty with that country, the question of compensation being left for settlement between the owners and the eventual German Government, but those held by non-Germans or by Germans who have not resided in Germany since the outbreak of war in 1939 are to be returned to their owners under a procedure to be worked out by the Allied Control authorities. If, therefore, as appears, the doctor's assets fall into the second category, they will be restored in due course. Everything possible will be done to reach early agreement with the other occupying Powers on the procedure for returning such assets.