§ SIR ROPER LETHBRIDGE (Kensington, N.)I beg to put a question to my right hon. Friend the Under Secretary of State for India of which I have given him private notice, namely, whether any steps have been taken by the Secretary of State to give practical effect to the recommendations of the Select Committee in regard to the grievances of the Indian uncovenanted civil servants?
SIR J. GORSTIn reply to my hon. Friend, I have to say that the Secretary of State in Council has adopted the recommendation that the pensions of all the uncovenanted Indian civil servants, payable in the United Kingdom, shall be paid at a minimum rate of 1s. 9d. per rupee. The Minute will have a prospective effect, and will apply to all pensions which fall due in the present financial year. With regard to the other recommendations of the Select Committee, the Government of India must be consulted before effect can be given to them.
§ SIR G. CAMPBELL (Kirkcaldy, &c.)Are we to understand that this Resolution has been passed not only by the Secretary of State in Council, but by a majority of the Council of India?
SIR J. GORSTThe Resolution has been passed in accordance with the law which regulates the Government of India.
§ SIR G. CAMPBELLHas it been passed in compliance with the law which requires that all provisions for the disposal of the Revenue of India shall be passed by a majority of the Council of India?
SIR J. GORSTI can only repeat the answer I have already given; it has been passed in accordance with the law by which the Secretary of State and the Council of India are instructed to govern.
§ MR. A. O'CONNOR (Donegal, E.)Will the native servants obtain the same advantage as European servants?
SIR J. GORSTYes, Sir; the Resolution applies to all uncovenanted Indian civil servants whose pensions are payable in the United Kingdom.