HC Deb 20 March 1970 vol 798 cc232-3W
Mr. Wall

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many of the total of 87 loyal Rhodesian public servants admitted to Her Majesty's Government's Scheme of Assistance have given an undertaking to return to Rhodesia when required to do so, and have thus become eligible for the full benefits of the Scheme.

Mr. Foley

39 officers expressed a firm intention of returning to Southern Rhodesia upon a restoration of constitutional Government.

Mr. Wall

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many of the Rhodesian public servants who have given an undertaking to return to Rhodesia were employed by the Government of Rhodesia under a short-term contract of three years or less, under a contract of over three years, or as permanent and pensionable officers, respectively.

Mr. Foley

Of the public servants who are at present in the category of those who expressed a firm intention to return to Southern Rhodesia on the restoration of constitutional Government, 34 were permanent and pensionable (of whom one is already in receipt of pension), three were on provident fund arrangements and two were under contract (of which one is short-term and one of indefinite length).

Mr. Wall

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign ad Commonwealth Affairs when permanent and pensionable officers employed by the Government of Rhodesia who remained loyal to the Crown will be enabled to resume their careers; and what equivalent employment they are being offered in the interim period.

Mr. Foley

I cannot say when those officers who remained loyal to the Crown and who are then willing and able to resume their careers in Southern Rhodesia will be able to do so. As indicated in the House on 22nd December, 1965, officers returning to this country were given assistance in finding fresh employment.—[Vol. 722, c. 469–70.]

Mr. Wall

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many of the loyal Rhodesian public servants who had given an undertaking to return to their posts when required to, declared their intention of supporting the Crown, made such intentions known to Her Majesty's Government and then complied with the instructions given by the Prime Minister and the Governor at the time of, within one month, within six months of, and more than six months after the Unilateral Declaration of Independence, respectively.

Mr. Foley

Rhodesian public servants were not specifically called upon to reaffirm their loyalty to the Crown following the illegal declaration of independence and any statements they may have made could have covered this point in different ways. No instructions were given by the Prime Minister to public servants working for the Government of Southern Rhodesia. The Governor's injunction to all citizens of Rhodesia from the time it was made, immediately after i.d.i., called on citizens of Rhodesia.to refrain from all acts which would further the objectives of the illegal authorities. Subject to that it is the duty of all citizens to maintain law and order in the country and to carry on with their normal tasks". The undertaking by certain loyal Rhodesian public servants to return to their posts in Rhodesia was given on their joining the scheme of assistance after they had left Southern Rhodesia. The last part of the Question does not therefore arise.