§ Mr. Juddasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what investigations he made, before deciding on Her Majesty's Government's contribution, into the details of the compensation being provided in Rhodesia to wives and families of victims of the Wankie Colliery disaster with special reference to the rates of compensation available to those of different racial groups; and whether he will publish in the Official Report details of how the British contribution to the special relief fund will be divided between those of different racial groups.
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeAs I made clear to the House on 12th June, our contribution is intended to relieve the distress caused to all the families involved, of whatever race. There is provision for payment of workmen's compensation in Southern Rhodesia, but it is not yet known what payments will be made in the present case. However, the publicly announced purpose of the fund to which Her Majesty's Government have contributed is not the payment of workmen's compensation but the giving of assistance to the dependants of those who have lost their lives and of aid to the injured. It is too early to expect the trustees of the fund to give details of 393W how they will allocate the money available but I will consider what further information can be provided later.—[Vol. 838, c. 972–3.]