§ 13. Mr. Bryant Godman Irvineasked the Minister of Overseas Development if, in any future compensation agreements for members of Her Majesty's Overseas Civil Service, he will increase the maximum figure of £12,000 used in cases such as Kenya or Malaya, in order to take into consideration the intervening fall in value of the £sterling.
§ Mr. OramChanges in the value of the £sterling are not in themselves of relevance in fixing the maximum compensation payable. The compensation awarded under these schemes is determined mainly by the level of emoluments earned by members of Her Majesty's Overseas Civil Service in the country concerned. The £12,000 ceiling will not necessarily apply in any future agreements which may be concluded.
§ Mr. IrvineWhile thanking the hon. Gentleman for that reply, may I ask him to make it clear to the people who may benefit from subsequent agreements that the £12,000 used for Kenya is not applicable today?
§ Mr. OramThe hon. Gentleman refers to future agreements and I do not think that I can usefully comment on future negotiations.
§ Mr. BraineIs the hon. Gentleman aware that this is among a number of Questions today touching upon the Government's responsibilities in the sphere of pensions, and reflecting quite a considerable degree of anxiety about the security of those pensions? Would he not agree that the time is ripe for the Government to reconsider the whole question of the security of ex-patriate pensions?
§ Mr. OramWe are aware of a number of problems in this sphere, but the House had an opportunity of debating the position on 26th July. My right hon. Friend then gave a very clear explanation of what is the present position.