§ 5. Colonel YATEasked the Secretary of India if he has yet come to any decision regarding the leave, pension, and pay of the Indian Civil Services?
§ Mr. MONTAGUNew rates of pay for the Imperial branch of the Indian Police, the Public Works Department, and the Forest Service have been sanctioned. The improvement of the general civil pensions and the Indian Civil Service annuities have also been settled.
As regards Indian Civil Service annuities, I have approved the retention of the present uniform rate of £1,000, but the annuity deductions will, with effect from 1st April last, be founded for the benefit of the officer. I have also approved certain improvements in the scale of invalid annuities.
In regard to the pensions of the ordinary Civil Services other than the Indian Civil Service, I have accepted proposals under which officers concerned will be eligible on certain conditions for retirement after twenty-five years' service on a pension of Rs.3,000. rising by Rs.200 per annum for each additional year of service up to Rs.6,000 for thirty years. Additional pensions may be earned in certain high appointments up to a maximum of Rs. 1,500 for five years' service in some and Rs.2,500 in others. These benefits will be applicable to officers who retired on or after 23rd July, 1913, but arrears will be admissible only from 1st April, 1919.
Considerable progress has been made towards a decision on questions of leave and the pay of the other services, and I hope that a definite announcement will be made very soon.
§ Colonel YATEDoes that mean that members of the Indian Civil Service will not be able to retire till they have completed their twenty-five years' service?
§ Mr. MONTAGUThere is no alteration in the term of retirement. The only difference with regard to the Indian Civil Service is that their contributions to- 337 wards their annuity will be funded to provide them with an extra annuity over and above the £l,000.
§ Colonel YATEWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the possibility of giving time pensions up to twenty-five years' service Why is it necessary that a man must remain for twenty-five years' service or else go off with no pension whatever?
§ Mr. MONTAGUI do not think I can ask my Council to reconsider the question again. This is the outcome of careful consideration of the proposals made by the Public Services Commission in 1915.
§ Colonel YATEDo not present circumstances necessitate a further reconsideration of this matter?