§ Mr. Evelyn Kingasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether male civil servants in Aden are occupying quarters previously occupied by their 164W wives and families; and what steps are being taken for their protection.
§ Mr. George ThomsonAll officers have now been removed from the less secure areas, and those thought to be particularly exposed to terrorist attack are being accommodated in increasing numbers in service compounds as and when quarters become available.
§ Mr. Evelyn Kingasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what separation allowances have been promised to civil servants employed by his Department in Aden following upon the removal of their families to England without notice; and what estimate has been made of the additional expenses incurred by such families.
§ Mr. George ThomsonClothing and subsistence allowances are payable to eligible wives and children who have been evacuated from Aden at short notice. The arrangements follow those adopted for dealing with families evacuated from other territories. No estimate can be made of individual expenses since these vary between families.
§ Mr. Evelyn Kingasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what arrangements have been made by his Department to store furniture belonging to families of Aden civil servants; and on what date it is expected that their belongings will be delivered to England, by whom and at whose expense.
§ Mr. George ThomsonThe personal effects of officers and their families who have left or who are about to leave Aden are securely stored in military areas awaiting shipment. The Government will bear the cost of transporting personal effects up to the limits prescribed by the officers' terms of service. I cannot say when this baggage will be delivered to England since shipping space is scarce but every effort is being made to secure its early arrival.
§ Mr. Evelyn Kingasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in view of the fact that insurers now refuse to accept liability in respect of furniture and personal possessions belonging to civil servants stationed in Aden, what plans he has to cover civil servants against risks not of their own making.
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§ Mr. George ThomsonAlthough some insurance companies have discontinued insurance on the furniture and personal effects of civil servants stationed in Aden other companies are still providing cover. I am having the problem studied.
§ Mr. Evelyn Kingasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on what date terminal payments to civil servants previously employed on contract in Aden are to be made; and if their salaries have been paid up to date.
§ Mr. George ThomsonPayment of terminal benefits and salaries to these officers was delayed by the disturbances in Crater which closed the Government Treasury and Income Tax Department. The amounts due are now in the course of being cleared and will be paid shortly.
§ Mr. Evelyn Kingasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what differences in entitlement to separation allowances exist in Aden between officials of his Department and those of the Commonwealth Office.
§ Mr. George ThomsonWives and children of civilian officials employed by the local governments who have been evacuated from Aden in advance of their husbands are eligible for a clothing and subsistence allowance. Wives and children who have been unable to take with them their normal entitlement of baggage may be reimbursed necessary expenditure on extra clothing up to a maximum of £20 for a wife and £10 for each child under the age of 19. If a family has to stay in an hotel or boarding house, pending return to their own home or the purchase or renting of normal family accommodation, subsistence allowances of £3 a day for the wife and £2 a day for each child under the age of 19 are payable for the first 30 days and two-thirds of these amounts for the succeeding 60 days.
The arrangements for members of the Diplomatic Service in similar circumstances are that the officer remaining at his post continues to receive his married overseas allowance but no payments are made to him in respect of his family's accommodation in the United Kingdom, or for the purchase by them of clothing or any other item.