§ 30. Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the extent of Rhodesian sterling balances frozen in the United Kingdom and of British sterling balances frozen in Rhodesia.
§ Mr. Harold LeverIt is not the practice to disclose the sterling holdings of residents of other countries. There are no British sterling balances in Rhodesia. Some United Kingdom residents own Rhodesian pounds which have been blocked by the illegal régime. The total is not known.
§ 42. Mr. John Smithasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why, in view of the assistance which this gives to the régime in Rhodesia, he prevents the payment of interest on Rhodesian Government stock.
§ Mr. Harold LeverHer Majesty's Government are not preventing the payment of interest on this stock.
§ 45. Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the amount of Rhodesian moneys held in British expense accounts and of British funds held by the trustees of blocked funds in Rhodesia.
§ Mr. Harold LeverI do not know.
§ Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what reply Her Majesty's Government have sent to the Rhodesian Government's offer to have 51W legacies and bequests paid on a free exchange basis with the Rhodesian authorities in order to prevent hardship to elderly people in both countries.
§ Mr. Harold LeverI know of no recent offer. A similar proposal made by the illegal régime in 1966 was refused in accordance with the sanctions policy. Under current exchange control rules, legacies and bequests due from the United Kingdom to residents of Rhodesia go to suspense accounts. Releases from suspense accounts are allowed in cases of severe hardship.