§ 24. Mr. Nottasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what action he has taken on the claims of Major H. Bell, a former officer in the Rhodesian Army, for a refund of travelling expenses to the United Kingdom and loss of personal chattels which directly resulted from his refusal to support the illegal régime in Rhodesia.
§ Mrs. HartArrangements are in hand for refunds to Major Bell in respect of his own and his wife's sea passages and certain other travelling expenses between Rhodesia and Britain. I regret that it is not possible for Her Majesty's Government to accept responsibility in regard to claims which officers may wish to submit for loss of personal chattels.
§ Mr. NottDoes the hon. Lady make a distinction between compensation for losses incurred by loyal British subjects and losses incurred by foreign-owned pipelines? If not, can she or her right hon. Friend give an assurance that no compensation has been paid to the owners of the pipeline which runs from Beira and which suffered a certain loss of its earnings?
§ 25. Mr. Nottasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what compensation he intends to offer for loss of office to those Rhodesian officers who lost their jobs as a result of their remaining loyal to the Crown at the unilateral declaration of independence and who have not been offered re-employment by Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom.
§ Mrs. HartNone, Sir. As indicated in my right hon. Friend's reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Wellingborough (Mr. Harry Howarth) on 22nd December, provision already exists for assistance to such officers in other forms.
§ Mr. NottIs the hon. Lady aware that it was stated in a letter from her Ministry that Major Bell was considered by Her Majesty's Government as still serving the constitutional Government of Rhodesia? If that is so, does she not think that Major Bell should either still be on full pay or receive some compensation from the Government?
§ Mrs. HartMy right hon. Friend described on 22nd December the very considerable assistance which the Government was prepared to give such officers. This includes the guaranteeing of salaries for six months and assistance in finding alternative employment. The hon. Gentleman has another Question down for Written Answer this afternoon and he may find further amplification there.