TNAG-0697-FCO40-847-Pension-scheme-for-governors-1978 — Page 77

Mr Willby

Pensions Department ODM

LIKA 233/1.. RECEIVED IN PASTRY NO. 51

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5 JUL 1978

DESK OFFICER INDEX

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GOVERNORS' PENSIONS

1.

During his recent visit to the Caribbean, Mr Stratton AUS was approached by one Governor's wife who complained that if her husband was to die in office she would get no pension. Mr Stratton has asked that this question should be looked into.

2.

We deal with a variety of categories of Governors, viz.

(i)

DS or HCS seconded officers

(ii)

HMOCS Officers

(iii)

ex HOCS officers

(iv)

MOD officers (Gibraltar)

Reminder

Sent 8.8.18

3.

(v)

Politicians

The Governors' Fension Act (and new scheme) make provision for a Governor to allocate a portion of his eventual pension to his wife. Furthermore, if he dies in office a gratuity ( a year's salary I believe) can be paid to the legal personal representative (widow) provided the officer was in the home or overseas service immediately before appointment.

4. DS or HCS officers who are seconded as Governors are able to continue to contribute to the Widows and Orphans Pension Scheme. HMOCS officers, ex HMOCS officers and MOD officers or politicians have no Widows and Orphans Pension Scheme to which they can contribute but the widow of an HMOCS officer who dies in service would qualify for a gratuity only (para 3 above). This leaves ex HMOCS Governors, 6D officers (both of whom would normally be in pension) and politicians with no provision at all. Ex HMOCS Governors' widows would I assume get the gratuity of 25% normally paid at the end of term of office paid to them and computed to the date of death.

5. You will recall also that in the case of the murder of Sir Richard Sharples, his widow received a pension agreed by the CSD and Treasury. I assume that we would consider similar treatment on aneex gratia basis if the occasion arose.

6. Would you please let me know whether I have set out the position correctly and whether there are any grounds to make any additional provision for widows' superannuation.

cc hus Barrait

PS1) (CE576)

4 July 1978

Bluck

Qlad fl 17

bu zulks

878

Diva B

10/8

C J Hall

Hong Kong and General Der K273B 233-8768