§ 6. Colonel HOWARD-BURYasked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that the pensions of majors in the executive department, Class D, of the Indian Army, which were assessed under the 1920 scheme at £360, have since been reduced by 4½ per cent. and are subject to still further reduction on account of fluctuations in the cost of living, while the pensions of warrant officers of the India unattached list under the same rules were stabilised by India Office notification in 1925; and whether he will take steps to rectify this inequality of treatment and to restore the pensions of the Class D officers to the maximum of £360, as originally assessed, with retrospective effect from the 1st July, 1924, being the actual date from which the stabilisation of the pensions of warrant officers became effective?
§ Mr. BENNThe distinction made in this matter between officers and warrant officers is based on a general distinction 1677 that is observed in the British Army at home as well as in the Army in India, and I am not prepared to modify it in this particular case.