§ 24. Mr. Simsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Government of Zimbabwe concerning their restrictions on the transfer of assets by United Kingdom citizens who choose to leave the country.
§ Mr. OnslowI draw my hon. Friend's attention to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Chichester (Mr. Nelson) on 20 December—[Vol. 34, c.327]—when I explained that it would not be appropriate for Her Majesty's Government to make formal representations to the Zimbabwe Government on the question of their exchange controls.
We have explained to the Zimbabwean authorities the difficulties which the controls are causing, particularly for the elderly and people on low fixed incomes, and have been assured that the restrictions will be relaxed as soon as financial circumstances permit.