§ 4. Sir C. YATEasked the Under-Secretary of State for India how many police officers in India of more than 10 years' service have applied to retire on proportionate pensions up to date; and whether this retirement of these officers is due, as stated in the Indian Press, to the unbridled race hatred that the Government of India have permitted Indian politicians to preach throughout the country, or to what?
§ Earl WINTERTONOf the 72 police officers from whom the Secretary of State has received applications for permission to retire on proportionate pension, all but 9 have over 10 years' total service. As officers who apply to retire prematurely are not required to give any other reason for their application than the change in the conditions of their service brought about by the Act of 1919, any answer I could give to the second part of the question would merely be an expression of opinion.
§ Sir C. YATECan the Noble Lord say whether any steps are being taken to prevent the loss of so many experienced officers to the Indian Police Service?
§ Earl WINTERTONThe officers to whom the question has reference, who 476 have retired, have accepted the opportunity which was open to them to retire under proportionate pensions under the Act. It would be contrary to the pledge given by the Secretary of State to endeavour to induce those who have availed themselves of the opportunity to re-consider their decision.
§ Sir C. YATEWill any steps be taken to ameliorate the conditions under which police officers are serving in India and thus to induce those officers to remain in the Service?
§ Mr. KIRKWOODMay I ask you, Sir, to ask the Noble Lord who is answering the questions to speak a little louder, because we do not hear what he says.