§ 2. Colonel YATEasked the Secretary of State for India what steps it is proposed to take to provide a families pension fund for the Indo-European Telegraph Department in Persia?
§ Mr. MONTAGUAs my hon. Friend was informed in reply to his question on the 14th March, 1917, the General Provident Fund is open to the staff of the Indo-European Telegraph Department, subscription being optional with those officers who were appointed before the 1st August, 1909 (the date on which the fund commenced), and compulsory on those appointed after that date. In paragraph 96 of their Report the Indian Public Services Commission made a recommendation in favour of the institution of a family pension fund for the Indian services generally, and this recommendation will receive careful consideration. In the meantime I am unable to consider the question of establishing such a fund for the Indo-European Telegraph Department independently of the other Indian services.