Written question asked by Andrew Mackinlay (Labour) on Tuesday, 11 July 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 19 July 2000. It was answered by Keith Vaz (Labour) on Wednesday, 19 July 2000 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what advice has been given to the countries most recently given EU candidacy status about the need to have on their statute book a process providing for (a) restoration of property rights and (b) a compensation regime which is subject to both arbitration and judicial review, in relation to property arbitrarily seized during the period of totalitarian rule, after 1945. - (Holding answer 18 July 2000).

Answer: Mr. Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what advice has been given to the countries most recently given EU candidacy status about the need to have on their statute book a process providing for (a) restoration of property rights and (b) a compensation regime which is subject to both arbitration and judicial review, in relation to property arbitrarily seized during the period of totalitarian rule, after 1945. [130662] Mr. Vaz: [holding answer 18 July 2000]: The EU monitors applicants' progress in meeting the political and economic criteria for membership of the EU, including issues related to the restitution of property, in the Commission's annual progress reports and the EU's regular dialogue with the applicant countries concerned. However, property restitution is a bilateral issue for the states concerned and does not fall within the scope of the accession negotiations. We have not bilaterally offered advice to those countries recently given EU candidacy status but we have taken a particular interest in the situation in Poland, which affects a number of British nationals of Polish origin. We have continually made clear to the Polish authorities the need for a speedy resolution of the problem. At the end of last year the Polish Government presented its proposals to Parliament, which is still discussing them.

Secondary information