§ 3. Mr. WARDLAW-MILNEasked the Secretary of State for India whether he has now received the memorial from Mr. C. N. B. Smart, resident engineer in the service of the Great Indian Peninsula Railway Company; and, if so, what, if any, decision has been come to in regard to the claim of this officer to be admitted to the benefit of the recommendations of the Lee Commission?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Mr. Wedgwood Benn)This memorial is still with the Government of India. They inform me that the general question of domicile involved in it is proving very difficult to settle. Many officers will be affected by the decision. Both the Government of India and I greatly regret that the disposal of this memorial should have been, in conse- 3 quence, held up for so long, but I have taken steps to secure that no further avoidable delay shall occur.
§ Mr. WARDLAW-MILNEWill the right hon. Gentleman see whether a mistake is not being made through mixing up this man's case with the case of other entrants? I think that is what is causing the delay. It is a consideration which does not apply in his case. I do not want to press the right hon. Gentleman for an answer, but I would point out that already 18 months have gone by.
§ Mr. BENNIf the hon. Member can show me that this is a case that stands by itself, it may be possible to do something, and I would be very happy to hear from him.