SIR SEYMOUR KING.To ask the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that the Indian Police Commission, in paragraph 87 of their Report, strongly recommended that the period of compulsory service for pension should be reduced, on the ground that the period of thirty years is too long, and stated that the Government should have power to compel the retirement of any officer after twenty-five years service, and an officer should be entitled to retire after twenty-five years service on full pension, if he desires to do so, basing the recommendation on the nature of police work in India; and whether, seeing that the refusal of the Secretary of State to adopt this recommendation has caused discontent among the members of the service, the whole question will be reconsidered and more favourable terms be granted, having regard to the necessity, in existing circumstances, of maintaining the police service in a high state of efficiency.
§ (Answered by Mr. Secretary Morley.) The recommendation of the Police Commission to which the hon. Gentleman refers was not accepted by the Government of India. They have informed me that, after a full consideration of the matter, they have decided to propose no alteration in the existing rules. As at present advised I am not inclined to suggest a reconsideration of this question.