§ 41. Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what action Her Majesty's Government will take in response to Distillers Limited's request to reconsider their policy on charitable trusts, and to introduce legislation for victims of tragedies such as thalidomide 453W on the basis and in accordance with the conditions proposed by Distillers; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what representations his Department has received regarding the establishment of a charitable trust or other organisation from Distillers Limited regarding thalidomide victims; if he will give an estimate of the contribution by way of tax relief to be given by the Government in the proposed scheme in the establishment of a fund of £12 million, £20 million and £30 million, respectively; and if he will make a statement;
(3) if he will indicate to Distillers Limited in his reply to its representations that sums of money paid by it to thalidomide victims should not be made conditional on Government legislation or acquiescence, and that any money given must be cleared for charitable purposes by the Charity Commissioners after such money has been handed over; and if he will make a statement.
A. Numbers of emigrants with restricted sterling funds July 1968 to June 1969 July 1969 to June 1970 July 1970 to June 1971 July 1971 to June 1972 July to November 1972 North America … … … 7,824 6,556 4,058 1,860 991 Other countries … … … 2,885 2,369 2,383 1,856 2,189*
B. Amounts restricted under Section 40 of the Exchange Control Act 1947 (£ thousands) July 1968 to June 1969 July 1969 to June 1970 July 1970 to June 1971 July 1971 to June 1972 July to November 1972 North America 11,353 10,545 7,670 8,949 4,811 EEC 6,127 6,197 8,233 6,129 3,423 Western Europe (other than EEC) 38,537 15,170 16,729 19,200 7,949 Rest of Non-Sterling Area 3,538 4,102 3,552 3,011 1,377 Overseas Sterling Area † † † † 549 *Includes emigrants to the overseas sterling area. Prior to 23rd June 1972, exchange control consent was not required for emigrants' transfers to the overseas sterling area. † Exchange control consent was not required for emigrants' transfers to the overseas sterling area prior to 23rd June 1972. A further breakdown of the information in Tables A and B is obtainable only at the cost of disproportionate time and effort.