HC Deb 01 August 1952 vol 504 cc203-4W
Mr. Janner

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why, contrary to the provisions of the draft treaty, cases of restitution settled by the restitution courts in Austria in favour of Jewish claimants are allowed to be re-opened by those who had been made to effect restitution.

Mr. Nutting

Although a measure providing for the re-opening of certain restitution cases has been passed by the Austrian Parliament, it is not yet effective since the Allied Council has still to consider it before it can become law.

Mr. Janner

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why, contrary to certain agreed provisions of the draft treaty with Austria, the Austrian Government will be permitted to use heirless and unclaimed property of Jewish victims of Nazi persecution for forming a special fund, not for the relief and rehabilitation of surviving victims of such persecution, but for, or also for, the compensation of reinstated ex-Nazis.

Mr. Nutting

It is understood that a Bill providing for the setting up of a restitution fund for heirless and unclaimed property has been submitted to the Austrian Parliament but has not yet been discussed. If the Bill is eventually passed by the Austrian Parliament it must be submitted to the Allied Council for their consideration before it can become law.