Oral Answers to Questions — Japan – in the House of Commons am 12:00 am ar 12 Ebrill 1948.
Mr John Boyd-Carpenter
, Kingston upon Thames
12:00,
12 Ebrill 1948
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the value of the assets of the States of Estonia, Latvia and Luthuania and their nationals now held by the Custodian of Enemy Property; and when he proposes to make some of these assets available to meet the claims of British creditors of these States.
Mr Christopher Mayhew
, Norfolk Southern
No exact figure of these assets can be given, but the estimated total is somewhat under £6 million sterling. My right hon. Friend has noted the suggestion made in the last part of the Question.
Mr John Boyd-Carpenter
, Kingston upon Thames
Is the Under-Secretary aware that these unfortunate creditors have been waiting now for eight years, and that some of them subscribed to a loan raised under the authority of the League of Nations? Can he give an assurance that early action will be taken?
Mr Christopher Mayhew
, Norfolk Southern
We have noted the hon. Member's suggestion, but I am afraid I am not in a position to make a statement at the present time.
Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
