§ Sir P. Macdonaldasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when arrangements will be made to un-freeze balances with the State Bank of North Borneo; and whether, in view of the hardship imposed on ex-internees who have such balances, he will arrange for their unfreezing to be expedited.
§ Mr. George Hall:The question of payment by the State Bank of North Borneo in respect of pre-Japanese occupation accounts is primarily the concern of the British North Borneo (Chartered) Company. I understand that as soon as it has been found possible to reconstruct the accounts of individual depositors, 237W which were largely destroyed as a result of the war, payment in respect of those accounts will be considered subject to any official regulations then in force. In the meantime, claims in respect of such accounts should be submitted to the company.