§ Mr. Wallasked the Minister of Overseas Development what steps are being taken to expedite the payment by the Government of Ceylon of pensions to widows of Ceylon pensioners which are at present being delayed for from six to 10 months.
§ Mr. OramThe Ministry of Overseas Development is not responsible for the award and payment of pensions to the widows of Ceylon pensioners. The Crown Agents for Oversea Governments and Administrations pay these on behalf of the Ceylon Government. Arrangements were made in 1964 for the Crown Agents to put into immediate payment a provisional pension of three-quarters of the registered pension on being notified of a pensioner's death. In the event of exceptional delay in the award of a full pension the case is taken up with the Government of Ceylon.