§ 12. Mr. Staintonasked the Minister of Overseas Development what representations he has made to the Government of Malaysia following its decision to reduce pensions to the pre-devaluation exchange rate of the Malaysian dollar, after paying them at the higher rate for 11 months to October, 1968.
§ Mr. OramThe Government of Malaya are conforming strictly to the Public Officers Agreement of 1959 (Command 854) between themselves and the Government of the United Kingdom. This requires pensions paid outside the Federation of Malaya to be paid in sterling and to be calculated at the rate of 2s. 4d. to the Malayan dollar, notwithstanding any variation in the rate. I cannot therefore challenge their devision.