§ 14. Lieut.-Colonel FREMANTLEasked the Secretary of State for India whether he has considered the representations 1647 from the staff of the Indo-European telegraph department as to the terms and conditions on which it is proposed to grant pensions and gratuities to them on the abolition of the department; and whether, in considering such representations, he will have regard to the climatic conditions under which the staff have worked and to the fact that, owing to continuous residence in a foreign country and to the nature of their profession, it is difficult for them to find other employment?
§ Mr. BENNYes, Sir. I have considered in Council the memorial submitted by the staff of the Indo-European Telegraph Department regarding the terms to be granted to officers whose appointments have been terminated, and I am satisfied that all relevant factors, including those mentioned by the hon. and gallant Member have been taken into account in arriving at a decision.