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Former Civil Servants (Pensions)

Volume 657: debated on Thursday 5 April 1962

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9.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations when he drew the attention of the Government of Malaya to the United Kingdom's Pensions (Increase) Act, 1959, in relation to the pensions of ex-members of the Colonial and Her Majesty's Overseas Services formerly employed in Malaya; and what was the nature of the reply of the Government of Malaya.

The Act was brought to the notice of the Government of Malaya in a letter from the British High Commissioner dated 15th December, 1959. In a reply dated 3rd February, 1960, it was said that no increase to Malays' pensions was then contemplated and that a Committee had been set up to review the Widows and Orphans Pensions Scheme, including the question of cost of living allowances.

That is a long time ago. Is my hon. Friend aware that 555 out of 1,620 pensioners get an increase of less than they would do under the United Kingdom Pensions (Increase) Act, 1959? Is this not a very bad advertisement for anyone now wishing to serve the Crown overseas?

Of course, pensions vary from Commonwealth country to Commonwealth country. We bring improvements in British pensions to the notice of each Government, but it must be borne in mind that these countries are independent, and we cannot dictate to them what they should do about their own former employees.

Is there any possible way to bring to the attention of these Commonwealth countries the increases which this Government may allot to pensioners and the widows of Service pensioners widowed before 1958?

In the sense that this Question referred to Malaya, I did in fact say that a Committee had been set up in Malaya to report on widows' and orphans' pensions including the question of cost of living allowances. That Committee will report to the Malayan Government. I am sure that these considerations' are very much in the minds of Commonwealth countries. As my first Answer made clear today, they are very much in the mind of the Government in the United Kingdom.

In view of the comparatively small sums involved and the real service which these people have rendered in the past to this country, cannot Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom consider accepting responsibility in these cases?

I did in fact say a moment ago that the Government are studying the position, and that is a consideration which, of course, we have very much in mind.