§ Mr. WoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will outline the arrangements for the distribution of the moneys received from the People's Republic of China under the claims agreement of 5 June 1987.
§ Mr. EggarThe Foreign Compensation (People's Republic of China) Order 1987 was laid before Parliament on 8 January and is due to enter into operation on 1 March. It provides for the Foreign Compensation Commission to register and evaluate claims by those who satisfy the British nationality requirements of the order in respect of bonds issued or guaranteed by the Chinese authorities before 1 October 1949 and in respect of property or other assets expropriated in China between 1 October 1949 and 1 January 1980. The order also sets out arrangements for the distribution of compensation to successful claimants.
Following a public tender the firm of Ernst and Whinney has been engaged to assist the Foreign Compensation Commission in its administrative and executive tasks. Advertisements will appear in the national press on 28 and 29 February indicating how detailed information may be obtained by potential claimants under the order.