§ 20. Mr. Tilneyasked the Minister of Overseas Development what representations he has made to the Government of Ceylon concerning the deductions for income tax from the pensions of former members of Her Majesty's Overseas Service which are considerably greater than the assessments on those pensioners.
§ Mr. OramThe British High Commission in Colombo has been asked to make representations to the Ceylon authorities in a number of individual cases which have arisen.
§ Mr. TilneyIs the Minister aware that in a number of cases the delays run to years rather than months? Is not this unfair on people who served this country well when we were in charge of Ceylon?
§ Mr. OramI recognise that there have been serious delays, but I assure the hon. Gentleman that we are constantly making representations. We have recently sent a reminder to the High Commission in Colombo about all outstanding cases. However, we have to rely on the Ceylon authorities in the last resort to deal with the actual cases which arise.