§ 89. Sir Geoffrey Johnson SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 21 January,Official Report, column 156, if any response has now been received from the Egyptian Government to Her Majesty's Government's representations seeking the restoration of British assets in full, or alternatively complete compensation following their sequestration by the Egyptian Government in the aftermath of the Suez crisis in 1956; what further action he proposes to take with particular reference to the property of Mr. Douglas Forsyth, a constituent of the hon. Member for Wealden, in the light of the further adjournment of his case in the Egyptian courts; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MellorNo such representations have been made. The 1959 United Kingdom—Egyptian Financial and612W Property Agreement (Cmnd. 723) provided for the return of all sequestrated British property and for the payment of compensation for damage thereto in full. In our view, both the Egyptian and British Governments have fully discharged their obligations under this agreement.
Representations to expedite the hearing of Mr. Forsyth's appeal before the Egyptian courts were made. The court's determination was announced on 22 June. We have not yet received a reply to our request to the Egyptian Government for any proposals they may have to assist Mr. Forsyth in obtaining vacant possession of his property.