HL Deb 09 December 1998 vol 595 cc97-8WA
Lord Graham of Edmonton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What steps they are taking to return to victims of Nazi persecution assets which they confiscated in the United Kingdom under Trading with the Enemy legislation. [HL190]

Lord Sainsbury of Turville

This Government are revolted by the treatment meted out by the Nazis to Jews and other minorities during the Second World War. We have the greatest sympathy for the victims and their relatives. This is why, in June 1998, we appointed the noble and learned Lord, Lord Archer of Sandwell, to advise on a scheme for determining claims from victims of Nazi persecution for the return of assets, where practicable and subject to validation, placed in the UK, which were confiscated by HM Government during the Second World War. We have now received the noble and learned Lord's recommendations and I am pleased to confirm that the Government will quickly put in place a claims scheme based on them. A copy of the Government's response to the main recommendations has been placed in the Library of the House.

The scheme will have the following main features: any victims of Nazi persecution who had assets in the UK confiscated by HM Government under the Trading with the Enemy legislation, and who have not already been compensated, will be eligible to make a claim; the Government will pay compensation at today's values in respect of valid claims to the original owners or their heirs; and claims will be determined by a panel of three independent assessors comprising a legal chair; someone with financial expertise; and someone with an understanding of belonging to a minority group.

This Government are aware that time is of the essence to victims of Nazi persecution and their families. We shall therefore establish the claims scheme as a matter of urgency so that claims for compensation may be met as soon as possible. The terms of reference of the assessors, a claims form and guidance on how to apply will be made available as soon as is practicable.

My department has already received a number of potential claims and we shall be writing to these individuals to inform them of the procedure. We shall also be updating my department's enemy property website, adding further lists of names and details of the claims scheme as they emerge. We are also in touch with the main interest groups and together with them we shall ensure that the scheme gets the widest publicity.

I am grateful to the noble and learned Lord for proposing a solution which allows the Government to meet the claims of victims of Nazi persecution while addressing the practical problems of meeting the standards of propriety expected in public expenditure in circumstances some 50 years after the event. The UK owes victims of Nazi persecution a debt of honour. That debt can now be repaid.