HC Deb 12 July 1977 vol 935 c98W
Mr. Biggs-Davison

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will publish a list of the British properties expropriated and restored to their British owners in Portugal, and of the compensation paid and unpaid; what representations have been made and with what result; and what information has been received from the Portuguese Government of their future policy in this regard.

Mr. Judd

It is not usual to publish a detailed list in such cases. One property taken over in 1975 was returned to its lessee last November. Five of the seven other British properties known to have been taken over in 1975 have since been formally expropriated. Two further properties have been expropriated recently. No compensation has been paid. Repeated representations have been made. When I was in Portugal last month, I was assured that the Portuguese Government intended to settle the question of compensation as quickly as possible. Her Majesty's Ambassador, Lisbon, was given a similar assurance last week.

Forward to