§ 2. Sir JOHN BUTCHERasked the Secretary for India whether his attention has been called to the fact that British ex-warrant officers and non-commissioned officers who are pensioners of the Indian (Service) Departments receive their pre-War service pensions on the 15th of each month after the pensions become due, whereas all ex-warrant officers, non-commissioned officers, and men of the British Service receive their pre-War service pensions quarterly in advance; and whether he can apply to the former class of men the practice that prevails with regard to the latter class and thereby make a concession which would be greatly appreciated?
§ Mr. FISHERThe rules regarding pensions of warrant officers of Indian Army Departments are similar to those applicable to Departmental commissioned officers. Commissioned officers, both in the British and Indian Services, have their pensions paid in arrear, and I do not think that there is sufficient ground for altering the existing system in the case of Indian Departmental warrant officers. The pensions of these officers are paid on the 16th of each month up to the previous day, not to the last day of the preceding calendar month. The only non-commissioned officers whose pensions are paid by this Department are the few survivors of the East India Company's European Forces, and these have their pensions paid quarterly in advance, as in the case of the British Service.
§ 5. Sir JAMES REMNANTasked when the new warrant for increasing the pensions of the retired officers of the Indian Army will be issued as promised by him to the deputation of officers in November last?
§ Mr. FISHERThe subject is still under consideration. It is hoped that a decision will be arrived at shortly, but the exact date cannot yet be stated.
§ Sir J. REMNANTAre we likely to get it before the end of the month?
§ Mr. FISHERI hope so.
§ 7. Colonel YATEasked what decision has been arrived at regarding the refund of the sums deducted from the pay of officers on the unemployed list of the Indian Army who served as censors and in such like capacities during the War on pay of less than £400 a year, so as to place them on the same footing as officers on the retired list?
§ Mr. FISHERAs I stated in answer to a question on the 16th December last, I am not prepared to reopen the arrangement regarding the pay of these officers which, as my hon and gallant Friend is aware, was made after full consideration in communication with the War Office.