§ 26. Mr. J. Howardasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will review die ex gratia payments made to ex-employees of the Shanghai Municipal Council.
§ Mr. P. ThomasSuch a review has just been completed, as a result of which Her Majesty's Government have reluctantly concluded that these payments should continue at their present level.
§ Mr. HowardHas my hon. Friend taken into account the fact that these pensioners, including as they do nurses and police officers, were all employees of British municipal councils in China? Will he also bear in mind that some consideration should be given to them on that account, particularly in relation to the purchasing power of their pensions which were fixed in 1949?
§ Mr. ThomasI can assure my hon. Friend that all these matters were taken into account and it was with reluctance that Her Majesty's Government came to the conclusion which I have just mentioned.
§ Dame Irene WardMay I ask my hon. Friend why always on these matters of pensions Her Majesty's Government have to do things with reluctance? Could they not for once take a forward action? Is it not tremendously important that people of this kind who serve humanity all over the world should have accurate, proper and decent treatment from this country?
§ Mr. ThomasAs my hon. Friend knows, responsibility for paying these pensions rests with the Chinese Government. Her Majesty's Government have assisted these pensioners by giving them advances, well knowing that Her Majesty's Government would probably not get them back.