§ 14. Sir H. BRITTAINasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what action is taken by the Foreign Office on behalf of British travellers who are deprived of their money in crossing any foreign frontier; whether he is aware that it is not unusual for a period of over one year to elapse before the return of such sequestrated money; and whether he will consider taking some action either to put an end to this War-time restriction or to expedite the release of the money taken?
Mr. HARMSWORTHRegulations are in force in most European countries to control the export of currency. Such regulations are a matter of the internal administration of the country concerned in which His Majesty's Government cannot intervene. All possible steps have, however, been taken to draw the attention of British travellers to the restrictions with which they must comply to avoid the confiscation of their money at the frontiers.
§ Sir H. BRITTAINSurely when British travellers are left in Eastern or Central Europe without sufficient money to get home the Government can do something?
§ Mr. SEXTONIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the greatest difficulty is after the British subject crosses the frontier and not before?
§ Captain Viscount CURZONIs the hon. Gentleman aware that very large sums of money are demanded from British emigrants into Germany? Why should they demand such large sums?
Mr. HARMSWORTHThat is a different question altogether. If the Noble Lord will put down a question I will give an answer.
§ Sir H. BRITTAINWhen money has been sequestrated, would it not be possible to get back that money for the benefit of the traveller in something under 12 months?
Mr. HARMSWORTHI know that cases of great inconvenience have occurred, but, after all, this is a matter of the internal administration of foreign countries.