§ Captain Kerbyasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a grant-in-aid to ensure that the pensions of some 400 members of the British Association of Argentine Railway Pensioners are pegged at the official rate of exchange of 50 pesos to the £1, in view of the fact that during 1957 the only means of remittance has been by the free market rate of 116 pesos to the £1.
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreI have been asked to reply.
My right hon. and learned Friend has the greatest sympathy with these pensioners and has repeatedly urged the Argentine Government to permit the official rate of exchange to be applied to the remission of their pensions during 1957. The Argentine Government have, as yet, made no official reply.
In the unfortunate event of their finding it impossible to meet this request, my right hon. and learned Friend will certainly consider, in consultation with the other Departments of Her Majesty's Government concerned, whether any other means can be found to assist the pensioners.