HC Deb 25 January 1971 vol 810 c29
30. Mr. Allason

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will now arrange to pay the pensions of the locally enlisted servants of the Zanzibar Government whose pensions are in default and who were employed prior to independence.

The Minister for Overseas Development (Mr. Richard Wood)

At my request, the British High Commissioner in Dares Salaam has recently made fresh representations to the Tanzanian Government on this matter, and we await the outcome.

Mr. Allason

Surely my right hon. Friend realises that the Tanzanian Government have not the slightest intention of paying these pensions and that, at the same time, these wretched people are very short of money? Could not the Government make some interim arrangement for these people, if they think that there is a possibility of some final settlement?

Mr. Wood

As my hon. Friend knows, we have tried to settle this matter. If I shared his pessimism I would not have made the approach that I have made. I am now awaiting the outcome of that approach.

Mr. Bryant Godman Irvine

Does my right hon. Friend agree that in the few instances in which this type of case has arisen, Her Majesty's Government have paid the pensions and have made a claim afterwards?

Mr. Wood

There have been differences, particularly in the South Yemen where the pensions were first paid and then debarred.