§ Sir R. Taskerasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether, in the case of a British subject who, being entitled to a sum in blocked-marks deposited in his name in a German court did not recover payment on account in sterling under the Anglo-German Transfer Agreement on the 1st July, 1938, Schedule F, paragraphs 1, 2, and 4, the custodian of enemy property will release funds to him out of German assets in this country, as the British subject is faced with bankruptcy in default;
(2) whether he is prepared to entertain claims by British nationals on the German funds in London, in respect of forceful seizure by the German Government prior to the war of German assets of a British subject, amounting, in effect, to expropriation?
§ Sir J. SimonThe method in which German assets are dealt with was stated in the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend on 30th November.
§ Sir R. Taskerasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will take steps to prevent discrimination which is being exercised as between British merchant bankers, whose bills were based on the security of the German stand-still debts, and a British exporter whose credit was destroyed through the seizure of his. German assets?
§ Sir J. SimonAs I stated in the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend on the 30th November, I do not consider that discrimination of the kind suggested is being exercised.