HC Deb 12 April 1949 vol 463 cc2636-7
54. Mr. J. L. Williams

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that remittances forbidden from the Argentine include small pensions to ex-railwaymen or their dependants now in this country; and if he will take steps to have these payments resumed.

The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Mayhew)

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given in the House on 21st March, when it was explained that it is now possible for amounts not exceeding 250 pesos a month to be remitted to these British pensioners in this country. This restriction on the remittance of pensions in full is one aspect of the larger financial problem of payments between this country and Argentina, which is being actively pursued during the current negotiations in Buenos Aires.

Mr. Williams

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that in the last three months many of these pensioners have spent sums of about £6 each on legal requirements, such as survival certificates and powers of attorney, in order to get a pension of less than £1 a week; that they have not qualified for National Insurance benefits in this country, and that many cases of hardship are involved?

Mr. Mayhew

I am aware that this is causing distress. We are doing our best in the present negotiations in the Argentine.

Mr. Lipson

Can the Under-Secretary of State say how much 250 pesos amounts to in English currency?

Mr. Mayhew

I think it is about £12.