43. Mr. Bob Brownasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what recent representations have been made to the Burmese Government about hardships caused to former British residents in Burma who have been prevented from withdrawing their life savings under the exchange control restrictions.
§ Mr. William RodgersRepresentations have been made to the Burmese Government on frequent occasions over the past year both in respect of individual cases and on the general principle of allowing remittances where hardship is being caused.
Mr. Bob BrownWhile thanking my hon. Friend for that reply, may I ask if he would assure me that, in fact, we shall maintain our pressure on the Burmese Government in the interests of the people who spent many years of their working lives in that country?
§ Mr. RodgersYes, we shall certainly continue to do all we can.
§ Mr. DalyellWhat reasons do the Burmese Government give for being sticky on this matter?
§ Mr. RodgersThey have given no specific reasons, but I think they have looked sympathetically at the whole subject, which has been raised with them on frequent occasions. The trouble is that there has not been a great deal of movement as a result.