HC Deb 25 February 1948 vol 447 cc1944-5
38. Mr. Cooper

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if it is intended to review the position with regard to retired Colonial civil servants with fixed pensions with a view to treating their pensions in the same way as those of home civil servants, whose pensions have been subject to increases due to rising cost of living; and will he take into account the fact that when these Colonial pension schemes were first started, they were not subject to Income Tax in this country which has since been applied.

Mr. Rees-Williams

The position of Colonial pensioners in this country was reviewed in consultation with Colonial Governments in the light of both the Pensions (Increase) Act and the amending Act of 1947. Most Colonial Governments now award increases to their pensioners on the same basis as that prescribed in Section 1 of the Pensions (Increase) Act of this country, as amended by the Act of 1947. I understand that Colonial pensions have always been subject to United Kingdom Income Tax when paid to a pensioner resident in this country.

Mr. Cooper

Would my hon. Friend give consideration to making representations to the Colonial Governments in those cases where it is seen that the conditions of retirement pension are less favourable to retired Colonial civil servants than they are to retired civil servants who have served in this country.

Mr. Rees-Williams

I will look into that point.

Mr. W. J. Brown

Would my hon. Friend be good enough to place in the Library a statement which would enable us to see which Colonial Governments have increased pensions, and which have not, and in the case of those which have increased them, how the increases compare with those sanctioned by the Pensions (Increase) Act? We ought to be able to keep track of what is happening to these people.

Mr. Rees-Williams

I will see that that is done.