Baroness Deech – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Deech on 2015-10-05.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have discussed with the government of Austria the case of Stephan Templ, chronicler of Nazi looting in Vienna, who has been sentenced to imprisonment in connection with his claim for restitution.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns

We are aware of the legal case concerning Stephan Templ. Our Embassy has close relations with the Secretary General of the Austrian National Fund for Victims of National Socialism, which was established in 1995 to fulfil Austria’s responsibility towards the victims of National Socialism. The British Government encourages the authorities in Austria and other countries in the region to address restitution and compensation claims from those who were tragically affected by the Holocaust as soon as possible, in a way that would be just and satisfactory to the claimants. We will continue to engage with the authorities to press the case for victims of National Socialism to receive justice and fair compensation, particularly through the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance. The Government has appointed Sir Eric Pickles as its envoy for post holocaust issues, and he will continue to raise such issues at every opportunity.