HC Deb 28 November 1963 vol 685 cc462-3
27. Sir T. Moore

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what are his plans for dealing with the civil servants and other Government employees of the Central African Federation when the Federation has been abolished

Mr. Sandys

Agreed plans for the Federal Civil Service were announced by the three territorial Governments, the Federal Government and the British Government in September.

Federal officers are being invited to accept voluntary secondment to the service of one of the three territories on their present terms until the end of May.

Thereafter, the territorial Governments will, as far as practicable, offer them continued employment.

The terminal arrangements for officers who cannot be offered, or do not wish to accept, such employment were explained in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Haltemprice (Mr. Wall) on 21st November.

Sir T. Moore

With respect to my right hon. Friend, I do not think that that Answer is quite satisfactory. In view of the fact that Her Majesty's Government sponsored the creation of the Central African Federation under that great man, Sir Roy Welensky, and also in view of the fact that we encouraged these civil servants and other employees to serve under the Federation, does not my right hon. Friend think that we have special obligations in respect of their future?

Mr. Sandys

I cannot accept that the dissolution of the Federation was an isolated act of policy by the British Government. It represented a recognition of the political realities of the situation.

Mr. Bottomley

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the break-up of the Federation made this a great human problem? Bearing in mind that the Foreign Secretary, when he had responsibility, said that the Government would be judged on how they handled this matter, may I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman thinks that the present compensation terms—when there are 3,000 made redundant, half of them Africans—are good enough to justify what the Foreign Secretary said?

Mr. Sandys

Yes, I do. These terms have been discussed very fully by the five Governments concerned, the three territorial Governments, the Federal Government and the British Government. They reached agreement on the terms to be accorded. The Federal Government, who have been particularly concerned about ensuring fair terms for their officials, have agreed these arrangements.

Mr. Turton

Will my right hon. Friend at least give an assurance that Federation officers who cannot get comparable employment in the Territories are offered compensation at least as generous as the terms extended to expatriate officers of Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland?

Mr. Sandys

I do not think that we can lump together those who have been engaged on local terms, and those who are based in the United Kingdom. Nor can we fairly distinguish between Federal officials, giving special treatment to those who have some previous connection with the Colonial Service.