HC Deb 30 July 1952 vol 504 cc143-4W
81. Mr. Teeling

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how far the claims of the Philippine Government for compensation from Japan include British companies such as the Manila Railways; how far such claims have in any way been met by the United States and how far the British companies have benefited; and whether he will give an assurance that in any negotiations with the Philippine Government-owned railway, the British bondholders will be assured of obtaining their proportionate share of Japanese reparations.

Mr. Nutting

No claims have been made by the Philippine Government either to the United States or Japanese Governments for damage to the assets of British companies in the Philippines. The Philippine reparations claims on Japan include a sum of pesos 44,450,000 for the damage to the Philippine-owned Manila Railroad and its subsidiaries, including the Manila Hotel. No reparations have been paid.

The United States War Damage Commission have also paid the Manila Railroad Company 1½ million United States dollars. Payment of the money owed to British bondholders of the Manila Railroad Company is a matter for negotiation between the bondholders and the company concerned.