§ 82. Mr. Teelingasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what preparations have been made for the starting of talks on the Austrian debts, in view of the impending closing of the German debt 174W talks; whether holders of Austrian bonds can yet register their claims; whether he can state the amount available for the settlement of pre-war debts due to British nationals; and what machinery has been set up to register these claims.
§ Sir A. SalterIt is expected that a conference on Austrian Governmental Debts will take place in the autumn. Procedure for the registration of claims will then be arranged.
I presume that the second part of the Question refers to the settlement of prewar sterling debts due to residents in the United Kingdom, covered by the exchange of notes supplemental to the Monetary and Property Agreement signed on 30th June, 1952 (Cmd. 8608). The amount of money available under this agreement is estimated at£500,000. As announced in the Press at the beginning of the month, claims should be registered with the Austrian Embassy in London.