§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what reports she has received of delays in the payment of pensions to former civil servants in Zimbabwe; if she will make representations to the Government of Zimbabwe calling for the timely payment of such pensions; and if she will make a statement. [131971]
§ Mr. HainI have been asked to reply.
We are well aware of the delays in the payment of pensions by the Zimbabwe Government. We believe that the main cause for this has been a lack of foreign exchange. The British High Commission in Harare has lobbied the Pensions Department and the Reserve Bank. We will continue to press for timely payment.