§ Sir Frederic Bennettasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the rate of exchange, fixed at par, when Rhodesia abandoned the pound to adopt the dollar compared with the English £ sterling; and what are the comparable rates of exchange today, giving unofficial rates if official rates are not obtainable.
§ Miss Joan LestorAt UDI the Rhodesian pound was worth £1 3s. 4d. There has been no official rate of exchange since the regime introduced the dollar currency, and transactions permitted under United Kingdom regulations are at £0.58 to the Rhodesian dollar, related to pre-UDI. However, I understand that the rate now generally used in Rhodesia is about £0.77 to the Rhodesian dollar.
§ Sir Frederic Bennettasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the current price of 20 cigarettes in Salisbury, Rhodesia.
§ Miss Joan LestorAlthough I do not have complete information on current retail prices in Rhodesia, I understand that the present price of 95 mm long cigarettes is 23 cents for a packet of 20.
§ Sir Frederic Bennettasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the current price of 1 1b. of topside in Salisbury, Rhodesia.
§ Miss Joan LestorI regret that I have no information about the current cost of topside beef in Rhodesia.
§ Sir Frederic Bennettasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the current price of a standard size loaf of bread in Salisbury, Rhodesia.
§ Miss Joan LestorI understand that a loaf of bread weighing approximately 0.85 kilograms costs 14.4 cents in Rhodesia.
§ Sir Frederic Bennettasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the current price of 11b. of tea in Salisbury, Rhodesia.
§ Miss Joan LestorThe Rhodesians use the decimal system of weights and measures. I understand that one kilo of tea costs between R$ 1.10 and 1.48 according to quality.
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§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has about the temporary release of Mr. Nkomo and the Rev. Mr. Sithole from detention in Rhodesia; and whether Her Majesty's Government are a party to discussions now in train between Zambia and South Africa concerning the future of Rhodesia.
§ Miss Joan LestorHer Majesty's Government have not been directly involved in these recent developments but have been kept informed of them and welcome the efforts which are being made to promote a peaceful solution to the problems of Rhodesia.