§ 3. Mrs. Knightasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Chichester (Mr. Nelson) on 20 December, Official Report, c. 327, on how many occasions the British high commission in Harare has made representations to the Zimbabwe Government concerning individual cases of hardship to British citizens caused by Zimbabwe's exchange controls; and on how many occasions such representations have had a successful outcome.
§ Mr. OnslowIn 1982 the British high commission raised 11 cases with the appropriate Zimbabwe Government Department.
In five of these cases the individuals concerned should now be receiving regular remittances. On the remaining six cases the high commission was able, on the basis of information provided by the Zimbabwe authorities, to give detailed guidance on how applications for remittance of blocked funds should best be pursued.
§ Mrs. KnightI am grateful for that information, even though it covers only a small number of people. As the Government are at present granting millions of pounds to Zimbabwe, is it not possible to make some of that money available in Great Britain to British residents who wish to leave Zimbabwe but cannot bring any of their money out? Is my hon. Friend aware that many people—an example is the mother of my constituent Mr. Thomas—desperately need medical attention, which is no longer available in Zimbabwe? Can the British Government help British citizens who are in that situation?
§ Mr. OnslowThe answer to my hon. Friend's first question is that the terms of the Overseas Aid Act 1968 preclude us from making payments of the kind that she suggests direct to individuals. On the second question, I am aware of my hon. Friend's anxiety about that case, on which we corresponded some months ago. If she will send me full details of the present position I shall be happy to ask our high commission to see what it can do about the matter.