§ Mr. Nicholas WintertonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Zimbabwe concerning the freezing of the savings of Mrs. E. P. Wright; what progress has been made in negotiations with the Government of Zimbabwe concerning the releasing of the savings of former Rhodesian nationals; and if he will make it his policy to suspend all overseas aid payments to Zimbabwe until such time as it relaxes its freeze on the savings of former Rhodesian nationals.
§ Mrs. ChalkerWe are not in negotiations with the Zimbabwe Government over the release of savings of former Rhodesian nationals. In their exchange control regulations the Zimbabwe authorities have made provision for special consideration of individual cases on hardship grounds. Her Majesty's high commission in Harare continues to make representations on individual cases when this is thought to be appropriate and helpful. It remains ready to consider doing so for Mrs. Wright, with whom my officials have been in correspondence. I do not accept that there is a case for imposing a suspension of all overseas aid payments as suggested. The chief purpose of our aid to Zimbabwe is to strengthen the10W Zimbabwe economy so that the conditions leading to the predicament of such persons as Mrs. Wright may be resolved.