HC Deb 05 May 1960 vol 622 cc1228-9
2. Mr. Tilney

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Federal Government of Nigeria has now taken back into revenue the £4,900,000 of the widows' and orphans' pension scheme which was thought by the overseas service to have been funded in 1954

Mr. Iain Macleod

Yes, Sir. At the same time the Federal Government have introduced a Bill to bring the level of supplementary pensions payable to widows and orphans up to the level of those payable to retired officers; to authorise the Governor-General to increase supplementary pensions whenever retired officers' pensions are increased; and to charge pensions and supplementary pensions on the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation.

Mr. Tilney

While welcoming any increase in the somewhat low pensions, may I ask whether my right hon. Friend would confirm that there will be no diminution in security for the widows of the civil servants concerned?

Mr. Macleod

Yes, Sir, I can certainly do that. Indeed by the Answer I have given, undertaking that pensions can be increased in the circumstances I have mentioned, there is an added advantage to these people.

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