HC Deb 20 June 1984 vol 62 cc184-5W
Mr. Janner

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has as to the number of British Asians who have been given (a) repossession and (b) compensation under the Ugandan Expropriated Properties Act.

Mr. Whitney

The Ugandan authorities advised us in March that the following four companies had been returned to their British Asian former owners who had applied for the repossession of their property under the provisions of the Ugandan Expropriated Properties Act 1982; and who are operating them on a joint venture basis with the Uganda Government:

  1. 1. The Sugar Corporation of Uganda Ltd.;
  2. 2. The UGMA Engineering Corporation; and
  3. 3. The Cable Corporation of Uganda (these three companies are owned by the Mehta Group of Companies).
  4. 4. The African Textile Mill, Mbale (owned by Mr. J. V. Patel).

The Ugandan authorities also advised us in March that the following further four companies had been returned outright to their British Asian former owners, the Madhvani Group of Companies, which had applied for their repossession under this Act:

  1. 5. Mulco Textiles Ltd./Pamba Textiles Ltd.;
  2. 6. Mulbox Ltd.;
  3. 7. Miltyres Ltd.; and
  4. 8. Associated Match Co. Ltd.

We have not so far heard of any case where compensation has been paid under this Act to a British Asian former owner of property in Uganda.

Mr. Janner

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has as to the number of (a) British companies and (b) British farmers mentioned in the schedule to the Ugandan Properties and Businesses (Acquisition) Decree No. 11 of 1975 who have (i) secured repossession and (ii) received compensation in respect of confiscated properties and assets.

Mr. Whitney

We have not so far heard of the return to their British former owners of any of the properties listed in the schedule to this 1975 Uganda decree; nor of the payment of compensation in these cases.

The Ugandan authorities advised us in March that the following companies and estates had been returned to their British former owners, the Mitchell Cotts Group of Companies, which had applied for their repossession under the Ugandan Expropriated Properties Act 1982 and which is operating them on a joint venture basis with the Government of Uganda:

  1. 1. The Uganda Tea Corporation Ltd.;
  2. 2. The Kiamara Group;
  3. 3. The Mityana Tea Estates; and
  4. 4. The Toro/Kahuna Tea Estates.

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