§ SIR H. COTTONI beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Government of India have reversed the order of the Chief Commissioner of the Central Provinces 1394 depriving a retired official of his pension on the ground that he had taken part in political demonstrations; and, if not, whether he will cause an inquiry to be made into the facts of the case with a view to the reversal of this order.
§ MR. BUCHANANSo far as the Secretary of State is aware, the retired official referred to has not yet appealed to the Government of India. We had a letter to that effect about a fortnight ago, since when the Secretary of State has no information.
§ SIR H. COTTONHaving regard to the importance of this Question, in which I take very considerable personal interest, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, in the opinion of the Government, a Government pensioner is liable to have his pension taken from him if he takes part in political demonstrations?
§ *MR. REESDoes the right hon. Gentleman consider it fair that a rule of this character should be enforced only in the case of subordinate pensioners and that it should not apply also to the superior pensioners of the Government?
§ MR. BUCHANANI gather the hon. Member wishes the rule applied as widely as possible. That is a general question which I am not prepared to answer.