§ 65. Sir C. Osborneasked the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that the Egyptian Government has failed to pay the promised compensation to British firms and individuals for the nationalisation of their assets; what action he will take; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. George ThomsonI assume the hon. Member is referring to the acts of nationalisation carried out by the United Arab Republic in a series of laws issued in and after 1961. Repeated representations have been made to the United Arab Republic authorities on the subject but no official reply has been received.
Her Majesty's Government are seeking an improvement in relations between the United Kingdom and the United Arab Republic. The possibility of negotiating a settlement of these matters between the two Governments, as has been reported in the case of Swiss property, is certainly not to be excluded.