HC Deb 24 May 1962 vol 660 cc49-50W
22. Sir Richard Nugent

asked the Secretary to the Treasury why the Treasury requires the return of compensation paid for loss of career and prospects to officers formerly in the India and Burma Services, when these officers are not offered permanent establishment under Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom until more than two years after leaving India or Burma.

Mr. Brooke

I would refer my hon. Friend to the full explanation of this matter given by my hon. Friend the Economic Secretary on the Motion for the Adjournment on 1st November last.

Mr. Tilney

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the compensation schemes for overseas officers whose appointments are terminated prematurely have to be approved by Her Majesty's Treasury; and whether Her Majesty's Treasury retains the right to designate which officers shall qualify and under what conditions.

Sir E. Boyle

Responsibility for looking after H.M.G.'s interest and concern in compensation schemes for overseas officers rests primarily with my right hon. Friend the Colonial Secretary. The Treasury are, of course, consulted in so far as these schemes involve expenditure from the U.K. Exchequer. In particular where a scheme is related to the provisions of the Overseas Services Act, 1961, my right hon. Friend seeks the consent of the Treasury, as required by the terms of the Act, to the general rules governing the designation of officers and the conditions under which they are to qualify.

Mr. Tilney

asked the Secretary to the Treasury why former officers of the Burma and India Services, closed down in 1947, were allowed to accept permanent pensionable employment in the Colonial Service two years after leaving India and Burma without the necessity of surrendering their compensation for loss of career, whilst those officers who accepted permanent pensionable employment in the United Kingdom after the two-year period had to return the compensation.

Sir E. Boyle

If the permanent pensionable employment began within, or dated back to within the two-year period, officers were required in both cases to refund compensation. If it did not, no refund was required.

Sir T. Beamish

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the compensation paid to officers of the India and Burma Governments in 1947 was for loss of career and prospects or for some other reason.

Sir E. Boyle

The White Paper "India Compensation for the Services" (Cmnd. 7116) referred to arrangements "to compensate officers appointed by the Secretary of State for loss of career and prospects". The White Paper "Burma Compensation for the Services" (Cmnd. 7189) contained similar terms.

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