§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations his Department has received(a) directly and (b) via consulates from United Kingdom citizens in respect of requests for financial assistance to help them get out of immediate difficulties abroad.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThere are strict criteria which have to be met before financial assistance from the public purse can be authorised. The post must be satisfied that the applicant is destitute, has no funds in the United Kingdom, that his predicament is not of his own making, and that he cannot make use of a cheque card and cannot arrange for the rapid transfer of funds through commercial channels from relatives or friends. We occasionally receive representations, either directly or referred by Members of Parliament, from the public on posts abroad who have refused them financial assistance.