HC Deb 30 November 1961 vol 650 c84W
30. Sir Richard Pilkington

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement regarding proposed increases in pensions for former colonial civil servants.

Mr. H. Fraser

The responsibility for paying increases on pensions of former colonial civil servants lies with the Governments of the Territories concerned. During the past year the Governments of 12 Colonial Territories have introduced improved pension increase schemes and, as a result, about 75 per cent. of all those pensioners who are eligible enjoy increases at rates as good as or better than those granted by Her Majesty's Government to its own pensioners. Only the Governments of Aden, the Gambia, the Leeward and Windward Islands and British Honduras provide increases generally inferior to those granted here. We are, of course, in touch with the Overseas Service Pensioners Association, and meet it at regular intervals for discussions and to review progress.