House of Lords on Thursday, June 30th, 6pm.

Apologies - Minute Sec. recorded 10 apologies
Present : Sabine McNeill [Co-ordinator]; Donald Martin [Chairman];  Lord Sudeley [Host]; Richard Sargent [Speaker]: Peter Challen [Minute Secretary]; Mary Fee; Latimer Clark; Sylvia; Peter Browne; Julita Karol; Anthony Chevasse; Alexander Baron; Brendan Treacy;  Ken Costello; Keith Whincup [SAFE]; Stephen Filbey;Tony Pritchett;  Anthony
Whittaker; Said Bassily; Khalid Saeed;  Kazuyash Toeda;
Kasauyuli Asada; Alice Kadel; Ken Cooper; Dr. Carl Shapley;  Cllr, Grant Stanley; Gilbert Tipper; Peter Travers; John Barnes;  Lord Gisborough; Lord Hamilton of Ozdaezeu; Barbara Kunz; Peter Koenig; Ken Cooper; Peter Richardson; Siad Orfal; Leslie Collins; Najib Saba; Tony Michaelson-Yeates; Abdallah Houmouda. (40)
 
1. Reminder of the widening context in which we are debating & exploring:-
a. 'Money is to be the servant not the master of humanity.'
b. 'Banks' abilities to create money out of nothing must be curtailed.'
c. 'Governments need to take back control of the Money Supply and to prevent money from losing value.

Additional context that keeps cropping up and should be in the back of our minds :-
d. Much philosophical and religious wisdom raises serious questions about any 'money making money' [usury] and Richard Douthwaite is now raising the issue in a Schumacher Circle booklet.
e. 'Let Ancient Wisdom Determine Money Making' is a page of broken verse available as an monetary reform agenda among those engaged in our discussions to date.

2. Comments on notes of last mtg. No written comments had been submitted.

3. Bank Victims.  Dick Sargent  - AUDIT UK: Evidence of Overcharging Leading  to Bankruptcies. Very strong evidence given supporting the growing consensus  among analysts of the monetary problems in the world. At the same time, there is  an increase in the number of people who suffer from
unemployment, bankruptcy  and stress caused by financial institutions.
Important examples, not detailed in these notes, were given on how banking malpractice can be challenged if not eradicated.  83% of all accounts checked (corporate only) are overcharged.  Dick Sargent gets settlements for ALL of them. How can dishonestly created money be honestly earned?
He considered the systemic cause requiring his skilled business to analyze bank statements for his clients and get settlement payments for them. He traced some links between a debt-based currency system, the banks' monopoly
to create credit and their very doubtful practice of interest and overdraft charges and fees. Many important largely unpublicised details were given that are not summarised here, and should be sought directly from AuditUK.
We debated what needs to change so that a dishonest system does not get perpetuated into the next millennium. One conclusion widely agreed was that self-regulation doesn't work. Whenever legislation is threatened banks
issue self-justifying codes and little changes.  Noted 'unavailability' in UK of 'Breaking the Bank' [isbn 1 841 313 777] a report on the exposed National Irish Banking scandal. Donald Martin undertook in the light of legal advice to make it available.

Donald also reported the consultation in train on 'Banks and Business Working Together' (1994).  NEEDS EVIDENCE FOR July 21st.
Stephen Goodson from the Abolition of Income Tax and Usury Party of RSA made a contribution and his promotional flyer was distributed.  More info from Peter Challen.
Lord Sudeley - Gave extensive close details of his Family's Historic Bankruptcy Case 100 Years ago, revealing the disturbing parallels with the bank's actions today, effecting  huge numbers of businesses and individuals.
Peter Challen - spoke of (1) Kenneth Galbraiths LSE stern millennial statement on Basic Income and Nuclear Weaponry, both of which are rooted in the money issue; and (2) the current attempt to redraft the UN Charter of Human Rights as the Earth Charter and that money was not tackled seriously
enough therein - IMMEDIATE opportunity to offer redrafting proposals. Enquire of Peter.
Sabine emphasised strongly the importance of staying with the hope of influencing the Lords Committee and Lord Peston, its Chairman, is undertaking to widen its brief.

4. reports were given on other meetings
- - Second Thursday of Month Meetings @ the Debtors' Prison in Clink Street, SE1. [ 7 minutes from London Bridge Station] focusing on the Campaign for Interest Free Money, but giving some time to the Land Tax approach to monetary reform and a model of local Authority initiatives in Social Investment.     Next Mtg. July 8th 6-8.