HC Deb 10 March 1949 vol 462 cc130-1W
27. Mr. Teeling

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will instruct the British trade delegation in Belgrade to ensure that, in the terms of the long-term agreement with Yugoslavia, the interest of British former owners of property expropriated under nationalisation decrees, will be properly safeguarded as regards compensation; and whether he will make every effort to secure for those British subjects concerned who have had their expectations of compensation already reduced by the Anglo-Yugoslav Agreement, of 23rd December, 1948, a final settlement not less favourable than that accorded to American interests.

Mr. H. Wilson

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him on 9th February by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. The negotiations for a long-term agreement referred to in the second part of that answer are taking place at present in Belgrade and we shall seek to make satisfactory arrangements for the payment of the balance of the agreed amount. I have no official information as to the circumstances in which the comparable United States claims were settled.