§ Mr. Nelsonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the repatriation of assets from Zimbabwe owned in that country by British citizens.
§ Mr. OnslowIt would not be appropriate for Her Majesty's Government to make formal representations to the Zimbabwe Government on the question of their exchange controls.
We have, however, continued to take every opportunity to point out to the Zimbabwean authorities the difficulties which the controls are causing, particularly for elderly emigrants and people on low fixed incomes. The Zimbabwe Government have assured us that the restrictions are maintained through economic necessity and that they will relax the controls as soon as financial circumstances permit. We understand that they are still prepared to give sympathetic consideration to cases of genuine hardship.