§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government how many blocked Rhodesian bank accounts have been released on information from South African banks that the Rhodesian holders are now resident in South Africa; and what information the Bank of England requires in proof of actual, as distinct from nominal, residence outside Rhodesia.]
EARL JELLICOEMy Lords, the Bank of England has not kept statistics on the number of blocked Rhodesian bank accounts that have been released in this way since the illegal declaration of independence, but at present it receives about three applications a week for release of assets from people who have changed their residence from Rhodesia. Roughly two-thirds of the applicants have moved to South Africa. In these cases, the Bank of England requires confirmation from a local bank that the South African exchange control authorities regard the applicant as resident there for exchange control purposes.
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, while thanking the Minister for that Answer, may I ask whether this is not a loophole by which many Rhodesians are avoiding the sanctions which are now applied? Is the noble Earl aware that I have evidence of Rhodesians who have blocked accounts in London and who go temporarily to South Africa and open bank accounts there; and then the London banks free their accounts and they return to Rhodesia enjoying those accounts? Could not the Minister insist that no blocked accounts shall be released without proof of at least six months' continuous residence outside Rhodesia?
EARL JELLICOEMy Lords, the noble Lord may have such facts in his possession. All I can say is that the Bank of England have no evidence that any of the applications they have received are fraudulent, or that any South African institution would assist to operate a device to release blocked funds; for example, by issuing a false statement. If the noble Lord has evidence in his possession which suggests that these regulations are being got round, he should either send the facts in his possession to me, and I will pass them on to my right honourable friend the Chancellor, or he should send them direct to the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, again I thank the Minister. May I ask whether he is aware that I shall be very glad to send him the evidence I have?