§ 6. Mr. Tilneyasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether, in granting the recent loan to Sierra Leone, the position of Her Majesty's Overseas Civil Service pensioners who served during their active life in Sierra Leone was taken into account.
§ Mr. SandysNo, Sir.
§ Mr. TilneyIs that not very surprising, considering that I am told that only £3,300 a year would be needed to bring the pensions of our Overseas Civil Service pensioners to the level of the United Kingdom Pensions (Increase) Act, 1959? Is he not aware that 80 out of 170 pensioners are below that limit? Is not that a very bad advertisement for those who wish to serve the Crown overseas, and will it not induce them to remain at home?
§ Mr. SandysThis loan is not a new development. It was part of the financial settlement made before independence and was announced to the House nearly eighteen months ago. I understand my hon. Friend's feelings and views on the subject, but we do not feel that to attach conditions to loans of this kind would necessarily be the best way to deal with the matter.
§ Mr. G. M. ThomsonI sympathise with the motives behind the Question asked by the hon. Member for Liverpool, Wavertree (Mr. Tilney), but would not the Secretary of State agree that the hon. Gentleman's approach is quite wrong? Should not Her Majesty's Government take another look at this matter and consider taking over responsibility for pensions increases to people who have served the British Crown, whether in Sierra Leone or in other parts of the Commonwealth?
§ Mr. SandysAs I think the hon. Gentleman knows, my right hon. Friend the Secretary for Technical Co-operation told the House just the other day that the whole matter of the arrangements for pensions for those who have been serving overseas is at present being reviewed.