§ 36. Mr. Goodhartasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will now instruct the directors of the Bank of Rhodesia appointed by the British Government to pay the dividends due to holders of Rhodesia Government securities.
§ Mr. MacDermotNo, Sir. Her Majesty's Government have no power to give directions of this kind.
§ Mr. GoodhartWhen will the Government realise that the use of this economic weapon is hurting innocent British stockholders, many of whom have very small savings, more than it is hurting the Rhodesian Government?
§ Mr. MacDermotWhat is hurting them is the illegality of the actions of the Rhodesian Government.
§ Mr. HastingsCan the hon. and learned Gentleman tell us exactly what these Directors of the Bank of Rhodesia are doing in view of the fact that the Rhodesian balance of payment appears to be satisfactory? Would it not be better to retire them?
§ Mr. MacDermotCertainly not.