§ MR. HOWARD VINCENT (Sheffield, Central)asked the Under Secretary of State for India, Why the Pension Regulations of the Forest Service in India are based on a considerably lower scale than those now obtaining in the Public Works Department; and, if, having regard to the fact that the European officers in both Services are trained in an analogous manner, and that the duties of Foresters involve much hardship, solitude, and exposure, he will consider the advisability of taking steps to remove this distinction?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Sir JOHN GORST) (Chatham)I find, upon inquiry, that the Questions which the hon. Member has addressed to me are among those which the Government of India has submitted to the Public Service Commission. The attention of that Commission is specially directed to placing Departments, as regards recruitment and future conditions of service, upon a full satisfactory basis. Alleged existing grievances as to conditions of service and retirement in various Departments are being considered from this point of view. The Secretary of 1661 State cannot, therefore, express any opinion upon the matter till the Report of the Commission is made.