In 1968, while with a parliamentary delegation in New York, Dr David Owen met his future wife, Debbie, and took her to dinner. She lived in the city and chose the restaurant. And as soon as Owen saw the menu, he realised he was in trouble.
He could afford a starter, but nothing more. After that they had to leave. His income wasn’t the issue. The problem was exchange controls. After devaluation in 1966 a traveller like him was limited to a budget of £50 for his entire stay. The policy was designed to keep sterling in the United Kingdom.
I remember coming across this in Owen’s memoirs in my twenties and being incredulous. Indeed, I asked him about it to ensure I had really
