§ Mr. HOHLERasked the Under-Secretary of State for India the reason why military and civil pensions payable in respect of services in India are payable by the India Office in arrear, either monthly or quarterly; whether it would be possible to arrange that they should be payable in advance as is done in regard to pensions granted for similar services rendered in this country; and, if not, would he be prepared to favourably consider the case of particular persons to whom this facility, if temporarily granted, would be of great benefit?
§ They UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Mr. Montagu)The system of paying pensions in arrear is, I understand, followed also in the case of pensions granted for services rendered in this country. The Secretary of Stake does not think that the transient benefit to the pensioner involved in the hon. Member's suggestion is sufficient reason for a departure from this generally accepted principle.
§ Mr. HOHLERWill the hon. Gentleman answer the last part of my question as to particular cases?
§ Mr. MONTAGUIf the hon. Member will tell me the particular cases on which he has based his question I shall, of course, be glad to consider them. But it would be advisable to keep to the same practice as is adopted here, and I think the hon. Member is misinformed as to that practice.