HC Deb 20 January 1975 vol 884 cc223-4W
42. Mr. Kershaw

asked the Minister of Overseas Development whether she is aware that the decision of Her Majesty's Government to terminate technical aid to Chile inflicted hardship upon British citizens employed by her Department; and if she will take steps to compensate them.

Mr. John Grant

Eleven contracts were terminated prematurely by my Department. As provided in their contracts the officers were given two months' formal notice of termination followed by the paid leave admissible. I am not aware of specific cases of hardship but we offered to reimburse on an ex gratia basis reasonable additional expenses incurred by the officers as a result of their premature

discussions with the provisional Government.