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Action for World Development group which includes such bodies as Oxfan, War
on Want and the UNA, In particular there has been the strongest criticism
of HMG's action in respect of Tanzania.
13. In the light of all these developments and having regard to the additional
funds available for aid the Minister of Overseas Development has decided that
it is right and opportune for general aid reasons to make a major change in
policy on assistance with the cost of overseas pensions. She considers that
the change should be made in a way that will earn the maximum goodwill and credit
with the overseas countries and therefore thinks it essential to make it one of
general application in appropriate cases. An attempt to deal ad hoc with the
particular case of Kenya or even Xenya, Uganda and the East African Community
taken together in conjunction with a new resolution of the Tanzanian situation
would almost certainly entail as a consequence the need before long to arrive
at ad hoc solutions with other countries.
POSSIBLE NEW POLICY
14. A first question is that of timing. If only for staffing reasons the ODM
could not implement a major new policy immediately. 1st April 1971 is suggested
as the possible starting date because that is also the day on which new
supplementation (OSAS) agreements should replace the current schemes which come
to an end in March 1971.
15. The Minister of Overseas Development considers that in no case should there
be retrospective reimbursement of the cost of pensions paid or due to be paid
before April 1971.
16. On the question of the extent of the responsibility HMG should assume there
are three main factors to be taken into account:-
1. What categories of pensioner should be covered
ii.
Whether the commitment should be in respect of the whole of
the cost of pensions or of part only.
iii. What countries should be covered.
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