13. Mr. Vaneasked the Under-Secretary of State for Burma whether he will give an assurance that His Majesty's Government will not enter into any treaty with the Government of Burma which does not properly safeguard the interests and prospects of the European members of the Burma Forestry Service, Veterinary Service and P.W.D., and particularly of those whose contract of employment with the Burma Government does not allow any claim to a proportionate pension where their employment is terminated before the completion of 25 years' service.
§ Mr. A. HendersonIn so far as those officers were appointed by the Secretary of State, I would refer the hon. Gentleman to my reply of 9th June to the hon. Member for Hornsey (Mr. Gammans). So far as they are officers appointed not by the Secretary of State but by the Government of Burma, the safeguarding of their rights and of their future interests is an obligation primarily on the Government of Burma. But the hon. and gallant Member may rest assured that the position of these officers will be included in the discussions to take place in connection with the transfer of power