HC Deb 27 November 1969 vol 792 cc603-4
27. Mr. Alexander W. Lyon

asked the Minister of Overseas Development whether she will make a statement on the future arrangements about responsibility for the payment of pensions to former colonial civil servants by countries who receive assistance in aid from her department.

31. Mr. Blenkinsop

asked the Minister of Overseas Development whether she will review the future arrangements regarding the payment of pensions to former colonial civil servants by countries who receive or have received aid from the United Kingdom.

Mrs. Hart

This is an important and complex question with substantial implications for the aid programme. It is being re-examined in depth, but I cannot at present add to what my predecessor said in the adjournment debates of the 26th July, 1968, and the 20th Decem- ber, 1968.—[Vol. 769, c. 1248–53; Vol. 775, c. 1724–33.]

Mr. Lyon

Does my right hon. Friend recognise that this is a very unsatisfactory situation? We are the only former colonial Power to treat our colonial servants in this way. It means that they are dependent upon our former colonial territories for their pensions which, as we have seen, has unsatisfactory repercussions. Is my right hon. Friend aware that we on this side are resentful that this should be described as overseas aid when, apparently, some of it goes into the pocket of the hon. Member for Chigwell (Mr. Biggs-Davison)?

Mrs. Hart

I am very much aware of my hon. Friend's concern about this. I know that he pressed my predecessor strongly on the point. Clearly it is a very great problem, and I hope that my own re-examination of it will perhaps make it possible to move on. But I cannot yet say, because I am in the middle of it.

Mr. Blenkinsop

Does my right hon. Friend agree that there are widespread feelings on the subject, especially in view of the fact that, as far as we know, no other country imposes this kind of burden upon its ex-colonial territories?

Mrs. Hart

There is a very powerful case to be made here. There are also powerful arguments against. It is a matter of reaching the right balance of judgment on the basis of further study.

Mr. Biggs-Davison

Is the right hon. Lady aware that I am not a former colonial civil servant, that I am quite happy about my exiguous proportionate pension which is coming from Pakistan, and that I will not worry Her Majesty's Government about it?

Mrs. Hart

I am delighted to hear that there is one subject about which the hon. Gentleman will not be worrying us.