TNAG-0205-FCO40-241-Pensions-policy-1970 — Page 65

COMPTENTIAL

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recommendation as to how they should be handled.

7.

There is one paint which I should perhaps add by way of explanation.

At our discussion this morning it was envisaged that, if the proposal to take over expatriate pensions is eventually approved, HI would not simply

make a sort of blanket take-over. that was envisaged was that an annouNGS-

ment would be made (presumably in Farliament) to the effect that for

reasons given HMG was now willing in principls to aasuno direct responsi-

bility for the expatriate pensions; that if any overseas government wished

to take up this offer we would be rozdy to enter into negotiations with them as regards the details of any such arrangement; that it would have to be recognized that different circumstancas in different countries rould probably lead to differences in the detailed arrangements that would be agreed upon; and that in any case the additional burden that this would involve for us would, of course, have to be taken into account in negotiations on particular countries' aid neods.

6. Mr. Combe will no doubt be approuching you. Heamhile the purpos @

of this minute is to inform you of the existence of the problem. Apart from kr. Stewart, copies of it go to Mr. Combs, Ir. Bennett, GSAD,

Fr. Minatt, PIOD, and Fr. O'Brien, FPAD. I am passing the file through Kiss Roberts of VIOD to see cã she was ouquiring earlier točay, from the Fiji point of view, as to where matters stood in this matter.

(A. 3. Fairclough) West Indian Department

18 November, 1969

Copied to:

✓ Kr. Stewart

r. Comba Er. Bennett

(Hong Kong Department)

(GSAD)

. Minnitt

(FIGD)

Mr. O'Brien

(FPAD)

CONFIDENTIAL