§ Mr. Clark Hutchisonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps he is taking to secure and preserve the pension rights or other benefits due to Government servants, other than those of United Kingdom origin, after the evacuation of Aden; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. William RodgersThe Public Officers Agreement which it is intended to negotiate will cover the rights of these officers as well as those of United Kingdom origin.
§ Mr. Clark Hutchisonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps he is taking to preserve after evacuation the pension or other rights due to British officers and personnel now working in Aden Colony and the Federation.
§ Mr. William RodgersIt is the usual practice to negotiate a Public Officers Agreement with the successor authority prior to independence, preserving the pensions and other retirement, benefits of public officers. My Department is considering now, in consultation with other interested Departments, the kind of public service arrangements to be made in respect of South Arabia.
§ Mr. Clark Hutchisonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps are contemplated to assist Indian, Pakistan, Somali or other non-United Kingdom citizens, now working in Aden or the Federation, to return to their homes if they so wish before or on the transfer of power.
§ Mr. William RodgersWe have no reason to believe that all such people who are making their proper contribution to the life of the country will not be welcomed and encouraged to remain after independence. No steps of the kind mentioned are therefore contemplated.