§ Mr. PageTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether the Custodians of Enemy Property are to continue to preserve enemy assets.
§ Mr. ButcherThe Custodians of Enemy Property were asked three years ago to sell all valuable securities which were vested in them. Efforts have recently been made, with some success, to trace and pay the original owners of vested property and those to whom money was originally due, or their successors in title. The custodians have been from time to time directed to pay into the Exchequer money held in the name of former enemies who could not be traced and this process has now been completed.
If a belated claim is now made, any person who proves himself to be an original owner or creditor, or the successor in title to an original owner or creditor, will be paid out of moneys voted by Parliament the amount paid into the Exchequer. This undertaking does not extend to cases where a foreign Government have agreed to meet claims of this kind by their nationals.