§ Mr. Lathamasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Government of Zimbabwe regarding the payment 804W to British subjects resident in the United Kingdom of pensions or interest upon capital lawfully due to them from Zimbabwe; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RaisonI raised the problems caused by Zimbabwe's exchange control measures during my discussions with the Zimbabwean Finance Minister in May. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister was also able to discuss this problem with Mr. Mugabe during his visit in July, and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs again raised the matter with the Zimbabwean Minister for National Supplies in September. We understand that the Zimbabwe authorities have recently made some improvements in their handling of appeals on the grounds of hardship. As regards interest, this accrues locally on blocked capital and the Zimbabwe Government Bond Scheme, which came into operation on 1 October, provides for the remittability of interest on the bonds.
Pensions are not affected by the exchange control measures. Their payment and remittability is safeguarded in the Zimbabwe Constitution and apart from occasional administrative delays the Zimbabwe Government's record has been good.