§ Sir T. BENNETTasked the Under-Secretary of State for India if, in pursuance of the Secretary of State's despatch of the 9th February, it will now be open to any member of the Indian Civil Service who applies after 31st March, 1924, to retire on proportionate pension, or whether that right is still to be understood as ceasing on the 31st March, 1924; and, in the latter case, will he re-open the whole question, with a view of relieving the serious anxiety as to their future which prevails in the Service, and has been in no degree removed by the despatch of 9th February?
§ Earl WINTERTONThe despatch of the 9th February was intended to correct certain misapprehensions, and especially the erroneous idea that an officer who did not voluntarily retire before the 31st March, 1924, would by the terms of the Government of India's Resolution be debarred from any compensation if compulsorily retired after that date. It did not attempt to settle the question whether officers who wish to retire in consequence of the changes introduced by the Act of 1919 and now in operation should be allowed a longer time for decision than is afforded by the Resolution. My Noble Friend realises the uncertainty that exists on this point, and will announce his decision as soon as possible.