§ LORD GEORGE HAMILTON, in moving that the House go into Committee on the Bill, explained that its object was to place servants who were in the employ of the Home Government of India under the Superannuation Act of 1869. The Bill would apply to two classes of persons—first, the Auditors of the establishment, and, secondly, certain Members of the Council. The Act constituting the India Council provided that all who were appointed Members of that Council should be appointed for life, and it enabled them to retire after 10 years' service with a pension of £500 per annum. In 1869 the Duke of Argyll brought in a Bill by which their tenure of office was reduced to 10 years, but the Secretary of State had power to grant them, if he thought fit, a further term of office—namely, for five years, but under that measure they were not entitled to any pension. The present Secretary of State thought it was advisable, in order to get men of the highest calibre to serve, that power should be given him to grant them pensions if he thought it right to do so. The object of this Bill was to place them under the Superannuation Act of 1869. If the Secretary of State gave them pensions, he would be bound to lay before Parliament the Warrant or Minute by which he granted such pensions, and, therefore, if any abuse were committed in that respect, the House would have ample opportunity of discussing the matter.
§ Bill considered in Committee, and reported, without Amendment; to be read the third time upon Monday next.