§ 2.38 p.m.
§ LORD BARNBYMy Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask His Majesty's Government whether, in connection with funds of recent migrants to the Dominion of Canada impounded by the harsh regulations, they can yet state what steps, if any, are arranged or are in prospect following devaluation of the pound sterling to relieve the threatened loss by persons aiming to carry on the traditions of Empire development overseas.]
THE MINISTER OF CIVIL AVIATION (LORD PAKENHAM)My Lords, I regret that I cannot yet make a statement on this subject, which is still under consideration by His Majesty's Government. I need hardly say that I do not accept all the implications in the noble Lord's Question.
§ LORD BARNBYArising out of the noble Lord's reply, and while regretting that it is not possible yet to give any encouragement to the expectations that may remain with these unfortunate victims, may I ask the noble Lord whether he will be agreeable to consulting with his colleagues at the Treasury to see whether redress is not possible? And, since it is now 1245 manifest that His Majesty's Government failed to foresee that devaluation of the pound would occur, may I ask that there shall be some acceleration in the speed of release, so as to avoid any possibility of a recurrence of the misfortunes which these persons have experienced?
LORD PAKENHAMI will certainly see that what the noble Lord says is brought to the notice of my colleague, but I cannot otherwise add to what I have said this afternoon.