HC Deb 24 March 1969 vol 780 c193W
40. Mr. Montgomery

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will take steps to obtain the return to its owner of a car that was stolen in London on 19th September, 1968, and found in Brussels on 20th September, 1968; and if he will seek from the Belgian Government an explanation as to why the property of a British citizen has been kept by the Belgian authorities for six months in view of the British citizen's efforts to have it returned.

Mr. Whitlock

The car was held with others by the Belgian authorities as evidence in criminal proceedings instituted by them against ten people on charges of receiving stolen cars; the owner has now recovered possession. Its retention was in conformity with Belgian law, as it was required as an essential piece of evidence to secure a conviction.