HC Deb 01 June 1965 vol 713 c1484
5. Mr. Palmer

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what steps have been taken by her Department to verify the cost of living and housing, education and hospital arrangements for United Kingdom engineers and other technical experts who accept temporary secondment from their normal employment for work in newly independent countries with which Great Britain has technical agreements.

Mr. Oram

The terms of service for which I am responsible of people working overseas are kept under constant review by procedures appropriate to each form of employment and where necessary in agreement with the overseas Governments concerned.

Mr. Palmer

Does my hon. Friend appreciate that failure to attend to these matters is resulting in certain cases in staff associations and trade unions advising their members not to take up these appointments, which is unfortunate?

Mr. Oram

Where difficulties arise, these staff associations can, through the appropriate channels, make representations to our Ministry, and these representations are taken into account in the reviews which I mentioned.