§ MR. CONYBEARE (Cornwall, Camborne)asked the Under Secretary of State for India, What has been the result of the special inducements to retire offered to the officers in the blocked years of the Indian Telegraph Service; whether such inducements have had the desired effect; and, if, not, what is the cause of failure; whether it is the fact that promotions in the Telegraph Service are now made only twice a-year; whether the effect of this arrangement is to inflict a loss of, perhaps, several months' pay and promotion in the case of those who are moved up into vacancies 1026 in the intervals between the biennial promotion days; and, whether such a Rule is in force in any other branch of the Public Service?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Sir JOHN GORST) (Chatham)The first period at which retirement might have taken place was March 31. No intimation as to the result has yet been received. Permanent promotions are now only made twice a-year, but acting promotions are made as vacancies occur. The full pay of the higher rank is not attained until the permanent appointment is made. Meantime, an acting allowance is received. No such Rule is in force in other Departments of the Public Service.