HC Deb 21 July 1960 vol 627 c698
27. Mr. Goodhart

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies Whether he contemplates taking action to protect the pension funds of expatriate local government employees in East Africa.

Mr. Iain Macleod

The undertakings by Her Majesty's Government concerning the protection of pensions set out in Colonial Paper No. 306 relate only to members of the Overseas Civil Service for whom I have special responsibility. The question of any special protection for the pension funds of local government officers who are not members of the Overseas Service can be considered only in the context of a general constitutional settlement.

Mr. Goodhart

As my right hon. Friend is considering the future of the Overseas Civil Service, in East Africa in particular, will he also give a thought to the future of the expatriate local government employees who make a considerable contribution to the welfare of these countries?

Mr. Macleod

I understand that point, but successive Governments have maintained the distinction implicit in my main Answer. I cannot give an undertaking to vary it.