HL Deb 29 March 1949 vol 161 cc840-1WA
The EARL OF MANSFIELD

asked His Majesty's Government whether they are aware that a number of British subjects are suffering great inconvenience and, in some cases, hardship, through having their accounts with the various Palestine branches of Barclays (Dominion, Colonial and Overseas) Bank "frozen" by order of the Government of Israel, and if they will forthwith take up the matter with that Government, making its recognition conditional upon the restoration of their assets to the depositors.

LORD HENDERSON

His Majesty's Government understand that the Israeli exchange control restrictions which previously prevented the transfer to the United Kingdom of balances standing to the credit of British subjects at branches of Barclays and other banks in Palestine have now been eased and that such transfers have already begun. The accounts in question have never, however, been "frozen" in Palestine itself.