§ 6 and 7. Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Minister of Overseas Development (1) whether, in view of the hardship and distress of certain former officials of the Government of Zanzibar now in exile in the United Kingdom, he will reconsider his refusal to accept responsibility for the payment of superannuation benefits;
§ (2) what was the result of representations made to the Tanzanian Government regarding the pensions and gratuities of Class II and Class III Officers not covered by the Zanzibar Public Officers Agreement.
1089§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Overseas Development (Mr. Albert E. Oram)I am still awaiting a reply to our representations, but I am afraid that these pensioners are and must remain the responsibility of the Government of the Union Republic of Tanzania.
§ Mr. Biggs-DavisonWhat hope is that for more than 50 such officials whom I know and one of whom is a member of the same order of chivalry as the Prime Minister? They cannot get jobs, although they could do very good work. Can the Minister suggest nothing to relieve this distress?
§ Mr. OramWe are pressing for a reply to our representations, but there is no doubt where the responsibility for these pensions lies. I accept that many of these people are in a sad plight, but we cannot make financial payments to them without offending against the fundamental principles upon which our overseas pension policy is based and has been based for many years.