§ B. Sir CHARLES OMANasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether European British subjects serving in the provincial services in India are entitled to retire on a proportionate pension, similar to that recommended by the Lee Report for the superior Civil Services; and, if not, whether any measures are contemplated for assimilating their position to that of the other Civil Services in this respect?
§ Earl WINTERTONEligibility under the premature retirement rules is limited to members of the All-India Services. No general extension of the right to retire under these rules is contemplated, but the Government of India is examining, in consultation with local governments, the possibility of entertaining applications from individual officers whose circumstances may appear to be of a very exceptional nature.
§ Sir C. OMANMay I point out that, owing to the persistence of interruptions and the conversation of hon. Members, it was impossible for me to hear what the Under-Secretary of State said?
§ Earl WINTERTONMay I assure the hon. Member that I have a very loud voice, and that if he did not catch what I said, it was not my fault.
§ Sir C. OMANI am not complaining of the Noble Lord, but of the noise in the House.