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improved in this respect it would enable us to simplify considerably Section 3 of this Scheme, In its present form it is extremely confusing, containing as it does the only up-to-date detailed provisions for the pensionable options for
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Home, Diplomatic, Overseas and Governors' service under these four different hewings and yet the sole purpose of the Scheme is for the granting of pensions to retiring Governors.
7. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has raised a question relating to the citizenship restriction in paragraph 1.7 (this restriction was introduced some time ago by administrative direction after it had been established by the Treasury and Commonwealth Office that HMG only accepts responsibility under the Governors' Pensions Act 1957 for paying the pensions of those Governors now covered by paragraphs 1.6 and 1.7). The point is not altogether hypothetical; it is a situation which might have to be faced shortly in relation to Colin Alian a vi New Zealander who is the present Governor of the Seychellus, Should he be invited to stay on as Governor-General at independence he will not then be covered by this Scheme as it stands at present. We suggest this could be overcome by adding proviso to paragraph 1.7 as follows
སཾ ཙི ནཱ
"Provided that a Governor who prior to appointment as a Governor was A designated officer under the Overseas Service Aid Scheme may be deemed to be » Governor for the purposes of this Scheme".
This will cover Alian and any such appointment which might arise in the future.
c.
Another improvement which is overdue concerns the death gratuity in paragraphs 4.19 to 3.0. Au ameniment to extend the application of the rule ans been made and this follows from the death in office of Sir Richard Sharpies, which raised questions concerning the restrictions imposed by Section 9(1) of the Act. These minor improvements we have effected are our absolute need and provide for the Scheme to apply to ali Governors in respect of death in office. However, we are still concerned about the level of death benefit and feel there is a need for the Scheme to provide a more generous death gratuity. Considerable pressure has been forthcoming from overseas officers who wish to see the death benefits improved to a level comparable to the death benefits in the PCSPS, ie whichever is the greater of one year's pensionable pay or the lump sum that would have been paid to the officer had he retired on medical grounds at the date of his death (for 'overseas officers this would represent enhanced commutation benefits). Parity with the PCCPS on this aspect should be introduced as soon as possible and we should be glad if you would give consideration to this proposal.
9. As you probably know there is already in existence an ad hoc "compensation scheme" for Governors who are
A.
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required to retire because of constitutional changes before the end of the period of their appointmente;
or
D.
required to retire on the termination of the normal period of their appointment, but before reaching nge 55, because in the opinion of the Secretary of State no further employment can be found for them.
The scheme was introduced in the latter part of 1962 following agreement between the Treasury and Colonial Office/DTC, and is administered at the present time by the Commonwealth Office.
1. With the powers now available under the Overseas Pension Act 1973 you may wish to make a short rule to provide this "compensation scheme for Governors" under the
/revised