§ MR. HERBERT SAMUEL (Yorkshire, Cleveland)To ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether officers in the Colonial service, who served in British New Guinea before the transfer of that territory to the Australian Government, are entitled to have their service there taken into consideration in computing. 265 the amount of their pensions on retirement; and, if not, whether he will state for what reason such service is excluded from consideration.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Lyttelton.) All officers serving in British New Guinea, previous to tho transfer of its administration to the Australian Government, were appointed on the distinct understanding that their appointments were provisional, and liable to be terminated at any time without notice or compensation. They are therefore not entitled to any pension in respect of such service.