§ 18. Mr. Tilneyasked the Minister of Overseas Development what is the result of his representations to the Government of Ceylon concerning the pensions of widows of former overseas service pensioners.
§ Mr. PrenticeOur discussions with the Ceylon Government have continued and are now well advanced. No substantive reply has yet been received to our approaches for the sterling value of the pensions to be maintained, but I am hopeful of a satisfactory outcome shortly.
§ Mr. TilneySince I understand the right hon. Gentleman saw the Prime Minister of Ceylon and other Ministers in April and we are now in the middle of July and nothing much has happened, is not this another example of the need for the British Government to take over these 1645 obligations, especially as the rupee has been devalued by 20 per cent. and the widows are being paid in depreciated rupees?
§ Mr. PrenticeI do not think we would be wise to judge the whole global system on the exceptional circumstances in Ceylon, Tanzania or any single country. In Ceylon I hope there will be a satisfactory outcome shortly.