HC Deb 14 July 1966 vol 731 cc1707-8
42. Mr. Stratton Mills

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will introduce legislation to prevent banks and issuing houses including a proviso in rights issue documents refusing to accept cheques drawn on any Northern Ireland bank when offering a rights issue to their existing shareholders living in Northern Ireland.

54. Mr. Pounder

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will introduce legislation to prevent banks and issuing houses including a proviso in offers for sale documents refusing to accept cheques drawn on any Northern Ireland bank.

Mr. Darling

This is a matter for the companies and banks concerned and I see no reason to intervene.

Mr. Mills

I thank the Minister for his letter, with particular reference to the company I had in mind, but is he aware of the considerable concern in Northern Ireland at the practice of excluding Northern Ireland cheques? Would he consider consulting the Issuing Houses Asociation to see if this temporary defect cannot be ironed out without legislation?

Mr. Darling

If this is a temporary defect, I do not think we need legislation. As I understand it, it is very unusual for a rights issue to exclude Northern Ireland cheques. As we have explained to the hon. Member, the cause here seems to be the Irish banks' strike.