§ Mr. Hanleyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government have any plans for a new initiative on behalf of claimants for compensation for assets seized in Russia at the time of the Bolshevik revolution in 1917; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. EggarWe have no new initiative in mind at present. We believe we should persist with the discussions with the Soviet Union about these claims.
§ Mr. Hanleyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his estimate of the number of claims received from British citizens for compensation for property in Russia seized at the time of the Bolshevik revolution in 1917; and what is the total value of the claims.
§ Mr. EggarSome 50,000 private claims were registered between 1918 and the early 1950s. The total value of those claims was earlier set at £400 million.
§ Mr. Hanleyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, in discussions with 719W the Soviet Union, Her Majesty's Government have attempted, since 1979, to reach a negotiated settlement of claims by British citizens for compensation for assets seized in Russia in 1917.
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§ Mr. EggarYes. We have continued to hold meetings with the Soviet Union at irregular intervals which have been directed towards a settlement both of United Kingdom claims against the Soviet Union and of Soviet claims against us.