The British Foreign Office today announced the appointment of a special committee, including two Jewish representatives, to inquire into the progress in the British zone of Germany of the restitution of identifiable property of victims of Nazi persecution. The two Jews on the committee are Prof. Norman Bentwich and Alexander Easterman.
The committee, headed by Chief Justice to the British High Commission in Germany, will start its activities in Germany today, the announcement said. It will examine the progress made in the disposal of claims, ascertain the causes of delays in the disposal of such claims, make recommendations concerning any action which night be taken by the British High Commissioner prior to relinquishing of his reserved powers in the field of restitution, and remove or reduce the causes of any delay in the disposal of claim.
Jewish leaders here welcomed the appointment of the enquiry committee as an indication of the desire on the part of the British Government to achieve a speedy settlement of 14,000 claims pending in the zone and another 20,000 claims filed with the Jewish Trust Corporation which is dealing with heirless Jewish property in the British zone. The committee is authorized to invite individuals or organizations to give evidence orally or in writing.
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