HC Deb 01 December 1966 vol 737 c128W
48. Sir W. Teeling

asked the President of the Board of Trade why he refuses to allow the repayment of foreign bonded debts owing to citizens of this country to be included in trade discussions with such countries, in view of the fact that other European countries which equally had bond claims against countries like Roumania, Hungary, etc., have settled these claims and have since considerably exceeded the United Kingdom in new trade agreements with these countries.

Mr. Jay

Her Majesty's Government do not consider that linking bonded debt and trade discussions would help. Bonded debts have been discussed together with other forms of outstanding claims, and the difficulties in reaching acceptable settlements are not in any way related to discussions on trade.