§ 46. Sir L. Plummerasked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what representations he has made to the Government of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland about the disability pensions now being paid to ex-Askaris in Nyasaland.
§ Commander NobleNone, Sir. Defence is the Federal responsibility and with effect from 1st July, 1954, the Federal Government assumed full liability for war service pensions payable to ex-Askaris in Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland. I am informed that the Federal Government have decided to bring the Nyasaland battalion rates into line, from that date, with the more favourable rates paid to former members of the Northern Rhodesia Regiment.
§ Sir L. PlummerIs the Minister aware that there are about three hundred ex-Askaris in Nyasaland who incurred their wounds when under our control and not under the control of the Federation; that the disability pension for a man with 60 per cent. disability is about 7s. a month and for 100 per cent. disability 9s. a month? Will the hon. Gentleman make representations to the Federal Government that these people be treated as human beings?
§ Commander NobleI will certainly look into the point which the hon. Member has raised, but he will appreciate that any question of what happened before federation is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies.