Linton Kewsi Johnson is a resident of London.
He is a well-known poet, and is also a singer/songwriter.
We are attempting to enlist his aid in publicising the UNHAV cause.
"Poetic Injustice
Most of the Halifax savers excluded from the share issue are former black Commonwealth residents of this country who have returned to their countries of origin. ("Expatriate mobilises to fight Halifax for shares", February 21).
My mother is a pensioner who lived in Britain for 26 years, but now resides in Jamaica. When I enquired on her behalf about her share entitlement, I was told that Jamaica's local laws prevented her from receiving her share allocation.
I raised the matter with the Jamaican High Commission, who informed me in writing that, "there are no restrictions and no laws on our books which impose such restriction". They added that, "people today are paid dividends of all sorts in Jamaica without difficulties".
When I put this to the Consumer Services Manager of my local Brixton branch of the Halifax, I was told that that was the end of the matter as far as they were concerned.
Linton Kwesi Johnson (Poet). London."
Revised 1 March 1998