Zimbabwe (Hansard, 17 October 1994)

§ Mr. Foulkes
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consideration was given to the pension arrangements for United Kingdom national staff of the university of Zimbabwe during the Lancaster house talks on independence for Rhodesia.

§ Mr. Baldry
There was no specific discussion of pensions for United Kingdom nationals on the staff of the university of Zimbabwe during the Lancaster house talks. The constitution agreed at Lancaster house did, however, guarantee the payment of public service pensions abroad, although not protecting them against inflation or depreciation.

§ Mr. Foulkes
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Government of Zimbabwe concerning responsibility for the maintenance of pension levels for United Kingdom nationals who worked in the university of Zimbabwe and are now resident in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Foulkes
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received concerning the level of pensions payable to former staff of the university of Zimbabwe recruited from the United Kingdom through the Inter University Council now resident in the United Kingdom; what action he has taken as a result; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Baldry
We have received several representations from former employees of the university of Zimbabwe recruited through the Inter University Council about the level of their pensions. Those making representations have been advised that staff recruited through the IUC became locally appointed employees of the university of Zimbabwe, which also had responsibility for their terms and conditions of service, including pension provision. Her Majesty's Government have no responsibility in this matter, and there have been no discussions with the Government of Zimbabwe on the question of responsibility.
However, we took the opportunity of this year's state visit by President Mugabe to draw the Zimbabwe Government's attention to the difficulties faced by United Kingdom citizens whose pensions have been undermined by inflation and depreciation of the Zimbabwe dollar.