Therefore we all need to firmly establish in our minds that everything we knew and loved about our country across the Channel has gone – probably forever – certainly for our lifetimes.
Of course, you might suggest that some nations may see this as an opportunity. Perhaps the Chinese will invade – either in reality or symbolically – and set up a satellite within Europe. They certainly have the power to do so – and we certainly cannot defend ourselves. Even though the majority of our Armed Forces survived the snow, our ships, aircraft and personnel have nowhere to go. They cannot languish in foreign ports indefinitely.
So, I present a severe and grim outlook for the UK. I can do nothing else.
However, what assets do we have?
Well, apart from five or six million ex-pats and holidaymakers waiting to come home, we do have something concrete we might rely upon.
You will all be aware that trading in Sterling ceased on the twenty-seventh of December and the value of the pound is essentially zero. Nobody – globally – is accepting sterling as payment. We have nothing to back it up with. The UK is penniless……or is it?
We have three hundred and ten tons of gold stacked up under the Bank of England in London. That's a start. There is money in the Royal Mint in Cardiff. It's a drop in the ocean – but it may help.
I'm not sure whether cash money is going to help our situation, but there is £2.2 trillion lying in bank vaults up and down the country and another £47 billion in circulation. However, that is all in pound notes – and Sterling is currently not worth the paper it is printed on!
Essentially, we have to convince the major players in the world that we are up to the job of national reconstruction – however long that may take – and that they should back us. We must re-build confidence in Sterling – in Britain. The IMF, the United States, the European Union, Japan and China must all be convinced of our potential.
This will be the main task for Sir Ian over the coming weeks as he visits New York and other major capitals.
Of course, our enemies – and we have quite a few – will resist any assistance. This may be our toughest assignment. However, only time will tell what grief they plan to bring down upon us.’
Castle paused for a glass of water, asking if there were any questions. Greeted with a grim silence he continued his tale of woe.
‘So, my friends, what can we do to alleviate the situation? In the short term? Well, we have 310 tonnes of gold sitting in the vaults of the Bank of England. Why don’t we just go and take it back? It shouldn’t be too difficult!’
There was general hubbub around the table.
‘You're having a laugh Richard!’ came one incredulous voice, which drew a look from Ann Fletcher which would have made Medusa look alluring!
‘Do you see me smiling? No I'm not joking and to emphasise my seriousness, I’ll tell you this. As we speak there is a team of SAS and SBS experts training for such an enterprise. Dame Ann set this operation in motion several days ago and the teams are preparing for an imminent departure to London. Of course, the timing will depend on the weather, but during the first break we shall despatch our men to rescue our gold.’
Another voice chimed in.
‘How much is this worth Richard?’
‘At today’s rate – about US$25 billion dollars – relatively small change I know, but it's a start.’
The Prime Minister intervened at this point and attempted to steer the conversation away from facts and figures.
‘If we can successfully rescue this small amount of gold and deposit it with the IMF, it may give a small amount of leverage to get started with the rebuild – although I believe resettlement of our people to be the most practicable use of the money. Naturally, we are exploring other sources of negotiable funding – there is a tremendous amount of gold jewellery, silver, gold coinage and – this must remain confidential for the time being – approximately another 4500 tonnes of gold being held in the Bank of England vaults for third parties. We have already received requests asking for this gold to be repatriated …..but as we have possession of the metal…perhaps we can use it as a bargaining tool – nine-tenths of the law and all that. However, this is a discussion I shall be having in due course with my fellow political contacts. Richard, excuse my interruption…please continue.’
Richard Castle had almost finished.
‘To summarise, Britain is bankrupt. It is going to take many years to retrieve the situation – if ever – but for the sake of our citizens trapped in limbo abroad, we must ensure that they are not abandoned. Extracting the gold from the London vaults is a good place to start and I hope to report on the success of the mission by the end of the month. Thank you.’
Ann Fletcher took over and thanked her co-conspirator before handing over to Gerald Painter, the Minister for Refugees.
***
Gerald Painter, at first glance, was not the most robust of personalities. He had been recruited into the new UKRA Cabinet because of his extensive experience as a junior minister in both the Foreign Office and in Environment. He presented a gnome-like figure, which inspired very little visual confidence, but behind the façade lay a terrier who pursued his aims and targets doggedly. He was the perfect man for the job.
He had been holidaying with his family in Provence when the snow began, celebrating the Christmas break at their French country farmhouse. His family were still there – just about surviving – whilst he had quickly made his way to Brussels and reported for duty. He spoke French, German and Spanish fluently, so was an ideal individual for dealing with the bureaucracy he encountered at every turn. His report to Cabinet was brief and to the point.
‘Prime Minister, Dame Ann. As of 1700 hours today there was US$1,965,000 remaining in the disaster relief fund. This cash has been flowing in from innumerable sources worldwide, and continues to filter in at about US$100,000 per day. Up to now, approximately US$4.5 million has been spent on relief for our refugees in Europe. These sums do not include the ‘materiel’ relief supplied – the vast majority of which has come from the United States, Canada, Australia and Germany. The Germans have provided the land – the space to live – and the Americans have provided personnel and equipment to temporarily house our people.
As you may be aware, approximately five to six million UK citizens – or shall we call them Passport Holders – were out of the country when the catastrophe struck. Three and a half million of these were genuine émigrés, settled in their country of choice, building new lives and are – in essence – self-sufficient. We need not concern ourselves with these people with any urgency. Clearly, they have connections with the UK, but are not in any imminent danger or need.
The remainder were abroad on holiday or business.
They were scattered far and wide – in southern Europe, south-east Asia, Central America, on cruise ships, in the USA and Australasia.
They now fall into two main categories.
Firstly, there are those who flew back into Europe at the cessation of their business or vacation and are now in transit camps, or have been subsequently recruited into the UKRA administration. There are about one million of these people – including many children under sixteen years of age. I will return to this group in due course.
The second group are those who have opted to remain abroad and wait it out. This was probably the wisest decision – but they have severe need just the same – mainly lack of funding. Approximately fifty thousand are in Iberia and Southern France in caravans and motorhomes, so have no immediate accommodation issues. However, many others scattered globally were using hotels and guesthouses and have quickly run into financial difficulties.
As you know, the vast majority of holiday flights to the major tourist destinations were cancelled shortly after Christmas to stem the tide of new vacationers, and reduce the pressure on accommodation. We have spent much time persuading administrations in Thailand, the Canaries and Balearics, the Caribbean, Cyprus, Greece, Italy and many others not to evict
our citizens. We have channelled funds to our embassies to reimburse the ‘less co-operative’ nations and the major aid agencies have done a marvellous job housing the most vulnerable. Promises of reimbursement have been made by the IMF and other global financial institutions, and this seems to have calmed the situation somewhat.
However, tourism has been severely hit by this disaster. Our ‘stranded holidaymakers’ have no money to spend – and new tourists are not yet arriving. The major insurance agencies are bleating wildly as claims for compensation are beginning to mount. However, I have little sympathy with these people I'm afraid.
With regards to cash for personal, day to day survival, the picture is beginning to clear. Most ATMs refused to service Credit and Debit cards presented by UK customers very early on, as computers in the UK failed. However, in recent days VISA, MASTERCARD and HSBC to name but three institutions have retrieved UK account information and are allowing customers to access their accounts for cash – but to a very strict limit. Up to £2000 per card is the figure being bandied about, and I am attempting to discover who might have to cover the loss. It may be that the banks do the decent thing – but I wouldn't be holding my breath on that expectation. They have limited funding after all.
So, in the short term, most of our citizens outside of Europe – Germany, France and the Low Countries that is - are able to access funds in the short term. This gives us valuable breathing space. It also allows us to deal on the major group of people – those in camps in Germany.
I’ll make no bones about it – the Americans have been superb.
It took them a few days to realise that the snow was a serious and long-term problem, but once the penny dropped – they sprang into action. They adapted an old Cold War plan for coping with nuclear disaster in Central Europe and before we knew it there were twenty-two tented transit camps and eighteen converted US/RAF/ARMY bases ready for occupation.
The relief money started flowing in after about a week, and a committee was formed to supervise the accounts opened in Switzerland. There are three members of the committee, an American Red Cross Executive, a Luxembourgish banker and myself. We meet often and channel funds as required.
Not much is needed in Europe as tentage, food, clothing and other supplies have streamed in from all over the world, and there are several very large hangars full to bursting with spare equipment. We requested that materiel relief cease three days ago. We have enough.
There are approximately twenty thousand people in each temporary camp, which leaves around half a million or more lodging with friendly Central and Southern Europeans. Many ordinary people have just opened their doors and taken our people in. It's been extraordinary. However, I would caution that patience and forbearance may run thin after a month or two – so we must house these lodgers elsewhere permanently.
The log jam at airports and stations has now cleared and normal schedules – barring those to the UK and holiday destinations – have resumed. Some modicum of normality has returned.
However, for our refugees, life is abysmal and will never be the same again. Conditions are adequate but in some cases squalid. We must address this humanitarian crisis as a priority or disease will raise its ugly head.
Clearly, we have swept the camps for expert knowledge, professionals, tradesmen and the armed forces. Many of these are now housed in Holland and Belgium and are running and supporting the UKRA administration. The slow process of housing families in bricks and mortar is underway. However, funding is an issue and will need to be addressed. It's not as if this situation is temporary – it's permanent and our hardest task is to convince the displaced population of this disagreeable concept.
This is the situation as it stands. I will update you in twenty-four hours.’
Ann Fletcher thanked the Minister for Refugees and turned to the next in line. There followed briefings on Administration, Health and Education before she asked Mary Maltbey to stand and report on Resettlement.
‘Prime Minister, Dame Ann. It was soon identified that our refugees could not return to the UK in the foreseeable future – but neither could they remain in tented transit camps or as houseguests in Europe. Of course, some, the more resourceful will make their own way. Some are already flying out to Australia, New Zealand, Canada, India, Pakistan and the United States to join relatives. These governments are being particularly lenient regarding visas and entry conditions. Basically – if you have a relative anywhere in the world who is willing to take you, then the UKRA will fund the flight – one way - to that destination. Then, I'm afraid, they are on their own.
Many of the refugees are now working alongside the Armed Forces as part of the Rescue Mission – doctors, nurses, psychiatrists, priests, counsellors, administrators and labourers. However, they are but a relatively a miniscule amount compared to the one million personnel to be permanently resettled.
One million.
In other words five thousand to every country on earth – and you can probably discount half of those for one reason or another. So you can imagine the logistical issues.
However, Sir Ian and a team of specialists have been talking to the UN and asking for assistance with resettlement and the response has been gratifying. One hundred and thirteen nations have volunteered to take our people on a permanent basis – and to fully fund the emigration process and in many cases provide employment. However, some have laid down strict criteria on age, health and qualifications. Some are not prepared to take on an additional financial burden. In addition, there will be quota for each country and a type of selective lottery will have to be enforced.
Consequently, we have distributed a comprehensive questionnaire – a copy of which you all have before you. It covers personal particulars, family members, employment experience, qualifications, health, criminal records and several other issues.
There is also a list of the one hundred and thirteen countries and applicants are requested to choose, in order of preference, the top twenty places for relocation. They have been politely, yet forcefully, instructed that this is a one-time choice, which cannot be changed or rescinded.
If they do not want to be considered for resettlement then they should not complete the questionnaire. They will be clearly advised of their other options – to join relatives, to join the administration, absorb themselves into Europe or merely make their own arrangements.
However, they are also warned that the questionnaire MUST be completed and returned to UKRA in Brussels for assimilation by the 31st of January. The camps are scheduled to be dismantled by the 31st of August, by which time most camp residents should have moved on.
Yes, it is an ultimatum. However, the clock is ticking and these people cannot survive another winter in limbo. They must be ‘forcibly’ moved on for their own good. Many still do not believe, or can conceive, that Great Britain has gone. They simply cannot grasp the horror and reality. There are many suffering from delayed shock, depression, mental health issues and inertia.
We will have to work very hard to move these people on. It's too massive a concept for many of them to grasp – there will be tears aplenty before we are finished.’
The PM posed a short question.
‘And when they reach their new homes abroad – what happens next Mary?’
‘I'm afraid that they will be on their own, sir. We have received pledges from the one hundred and thirteen countries that they will try to integrate our people – but we cannot nursemaid nearly a million people from here. We've got other business to conduct.’
The room fell silent. Many knew that they too would have to build a new life. The prospect was terrifying.
‘The United States has agreed to take twenty thousand people, Canada ten thousand, Australia ten thousand, New Zealand five thousand and the list goes on. Japan, China, South Africa, India, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Israel, Russia …..all the way down to Martinique in the West Indies which will take ten!
A commission has been set up in Maastricht to deal with the appl
ications and we aim to have moved all of our citizens on by the thirtieth of July. In fact, the first families have already departed for the US. The Americans did some cherry-picking in the early days and have made some very lucrative offers to some of our scientists and economists. However, everyone else who completes a form will be treated fairly and impartially, and in strict order of receipt. The commission is multi-national. And by the way – there is to be no right of appeal when an individual is allocated a destination which lies within the twenty-choice bracket – even if the commission chooses what appears to be a strange location. For example, if Mexico needs dentists, and Mexico is number twenty on your list – then Mexico it probably will be if the applicant is a dental nurse. In some ways, it is pot luck. If all the nations of your choice are taken up by the time your application surfaces, then you will be allocated a country based on that nation’s needs and simple availability.
Obviously, we will take religious issues and language into consideration. A Moslem family will not be sent to Israel and vice versa. The commission will do it's best to match up applicants with suitable locations – but it may not always work out happily. It's unfortunate, but we face a tough time ahead and if one’s family ends up in Brunei on an isolated island – then I'm afraid it's ‘c’est la vie’. Anywhere, frankly, is going to be better than a tent in the snow in Central Europe! It may pay some of our citizens to be imaginative when making their selections. It is all too easy to pick the USA or Australia – but there are some wonderful other countries on the list.
Dame Ann, unless there are any questions, that's all I have for you today.’
‘Thank you Mary. Very comprehensive. Well done.’
Mary Maltbey was one of Ann Fletcher’s disciples, and was being groomed for stardom.
‘Okay. There will be a ten-minute comfort break whilst refreshments are brought in, and then we’ll hear from Roland Harrison regarding the rescue operation over the UK. Thank you – ten minutes, ladies and gentlemen’.
Snow! The Series [Books 1-4] Page 78
