HC Deb 13 December 1949 vol 470 cc244-5W
68. Mr. Foster

asked the President of the Board of Trade what policy he proposes to pursue with regard to heirless property formerly belonging to allied nationals.

Mr. Bottomley

I assume the hon. Member is referring to property under the control of a Custodian of Enemy Property belonging to allied nationals, the return of which has not yet been claimed. There will no doubt be cases in which no successor will have been able to establish a good title in English law to some of this property even in the course of a number of years, but it is premature to consider the framing of policy in relation to it, having regard to the existing legal provisions affecting any property remaining so unclaimed whether under Custodian control or not.