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Scientology founder 'forgives' $13m debt // Cable from his yacht

Title: Scientology founder 'forgives' $13m debt // Cable from his yacht
Date: Wednesday, 7 August 1968
Publisher: Daily Telegraph (UK)
Main source: link (107 KiB)

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MR. LAFAYETTE RON HUBBARD, the American founder of Scientology, has cabled the cult's headquarters at East Grinstead, Sussex, that although he was owed $13 million by the organisation this debt has been "forgiven."

This was said in a statement issued yesterday from Saint Hill Manor and was one of two received late on Monday from Tunisia, where Mr. Hubbard is believed to be in his yacht.

The statement added: "Even my own income has been invoiced into Scientology organisations.

"I paid for all the research for 18 years and it is not included at all. All the millions have been totalled up and, aside from some cash loans, the balance has been forgiven."

SWISS BANK
'Millions of dollars'

Mr. Hubbard also said it was "upsetting" to make a $13 million gift and be hammered for it. He was referring to reports which state Mr. Hubbard has a £3 million bank acount with a Swiss bank.

In the second statement Mr. Hubbard said Scientology brought millions of dollars into England "before Robinson slammed the door on the students."

Despite the apparent diespread unpopularity of the cult, especially in the East Grinstead locality, very few demands for an inquiry into their activities have been called for in this country — certainly nothing parallel to the inquiry which resulted in the State of Victoria, Australia, outlawing any teaching or advertising Scientology within the state borders.

'DEBASED TECHNIQUES'
Often mentally ill

The Government Board inquiry sat for 160 days, heard 151 witnesses, gave four million words of evidence and presented a 202 page report. Known as the Anderson Report, it found that Scientology constituted a medical, moral and social threat to the community.

Its techniques and principles were "perverted, debased and harmful."

The Anderson Report also found adherents of Scientology "sadly deluded and often mentally ill." It was a grave treat to family life causing not only financial hardship but also dissension and suspicion among families.

Although not recommending a specific band, Anderson suggested a law forbidding unqualified people practising Scientology, hypnosis and mental therapy. The Victorian Government established an eight-member Psychological Council and specifically banned Scientology, making its practice subject to fines and imprisonment.

CALL FOR INQUIRY
'Gravely concerned'

So far, in this country, apart from individual complaints received by the East Grinstead urban council and local members of Parliament, including Mr. Geoffrey Johnson Smith, Conservative M.P. for East Grinstead, only the National Council for Civil Liberties has demanded a Government inquiry.

This demand was made immediately following the statement in the House by Mr. Robinson, Minister of Health, announcing Government plans to curb the growth of Scientology in this country.

Then Mr. Tony Smythe, secretary of the council, issued a statement saying it was "gravely concerned" at the implications of the Minister's statement and found them "objectionable in principle and dangerous in practice."

STRONG CASE
Talk to young Tories

It added that there was a strong case for a Government White Paper on what was known about Scientology in this country and no reply has yet been received in answer to a letter from the council asking Mr. Callaghan, the Home Secretary, to see a deputation to discuss students being refused entry to continue their studies here.

Mr. Stuart Adam Jones, an estate agent and former Liberal chairman of East Grinstead U D C has also stated there should be a full-scale Government inquiry into this cult.