HC Deb 01 February 1962 vol 652 cc109-10W
60. Mr. Spriggs

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what plans he has for safeguarding the interests of long service designated contract staff who, in many instances, have more service than the permanent officials whom he has now agreed to compensate; what the agreed compensation will amount to; and what would the total amount be if he paid compensation to permanent and temporary staff alike.

Mr. Maudling

I know of no reason why contract officers serving the Governments which have recently provided compensation schemes for permanent officers should be unable to complete their existing contracts. I could not therefore recommend special safeguards for them or the payment of compensation. The general benefits due to designated officers both contract and permanent, under the Overseas Service Aid Scheme such as inducement allowance, education allowances and passages, are safeguarded by formal Agreements concluded between Her Majesty's Government and the overseas Governments concerned.

Mr. Spriggs

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what assistance Her Majesty's Government will give to contract agreement staff who are still employed by East African Railways and Harbours, who may wish to return to Great Britain but lack the means to pay their way, especially those who would be liable to repayment of income tax, which is usually one and a half years in arrears.

Mr. Maudling

Contract staff recruited from overseas are entitled to return passages by their terms of contract. Staff recruited in East Africa on local terms are not so entitled and neither the British Government nor the East African Railways and Harbours Administration have, under their terms of employment, any responsibility for providing them with Overseas passages.