§ Mr. Nicholas Bakerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the present position over suspension of pension payments by Argentine Railways in respect of pensions payable to United Kingdom residents; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. OnslowThe suspension of Argentine railway pensions to United Kingdom residents is a consequence of the economic sanctions imposed by Argentina. When, following Argentina's invasion of the Falkland Islands, the British Government froze Argentine assets in this country, an exception was made to allow pensions to people in Argentina to continue to be paid. However, in its retaliatory measures, Argentina made no comparable exception. We have asked the Swiss Government to make representations to the Argentine authorities on this subject, but there has regrettably been no positive response.