§ 6. Colonel HOWARD-BURYasked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that European members of the Services in India have to contribute to a provident fund and that they are not permitted to withdraw money from the fund so long as they are serving in India; and, seeing that their contributions have been deducted from their pay while the rupee is at 1s. 6d., will he give an assurance that they should be repaid at a rate not less than 1s. 6d. to the rupee, or that, should the exchange 4 value of the rupee be depreciated, the sterling equivalent of all sums at credit of officers in provident funds will be credited to each officer's account at the rate of 1s. 6d. at the time the exchange rate is changed?
§ Mr. BENNThe question of the safeguarding of the interests of subscribers to the different provident funds maintained by the Government of India is receiving careful consideration, and various methods, including that suggested by the hon. and gallant Member, are being examined.
§ Colonel HOWARD-BURYDoes the right hon. Gentleman think it is fair that, as the officers subscribe at the rate of 1s. 6d., they should receive the same amount back when the time comes for their pensions to be paid?