§ 5. Mr. KIRKPATRICKasked the Secretary of State for India if he is aware that there is a feeling of uncertainty and apprehension among officers of the Indian medical service as to the security of their pensions; and whether the British Government guarantees these pensions?
§ Sir S. HOAREI must apologise for the length of this answer. I am aware that there is, and has for some time been, some anxiety among officers of the Indian Services generally as to the security of their pensions, though I have not received any special representations from officers of the Indian Medical Service. The pensions of officers of the Indian Services are not guaranteed by the British Government; they are a charge on Indian revenues and the responsibility for ensuring that, the necessary funds are forthcoming rests with the Secretary of State for India. The Services Sub-Committee of the India Round Table Conference recommended that when a new constitution for India is drawn up, suitable safeguards for the payment of pensions should be provided, and the Prime Minister, in the statement made by him on behalf of His Majesty's Government at the final meeting of the first Conference, laid it down that the transfer to a responsible Government in India of responsibility for the finances of that country must neces- 1456 sarily be subject to such conditions as would ensure the fulfilment of the obligations incurred under the authority of the Secretary of State and the maintenance unimpaired of the financial stability and credit of India. The consent of Parliament would be required to any change in the present position, and it is inconceivable to the present Government that in dealing with any scheme of constitutional change in India, Parliament could fail to provide such safeguards as may be necessary to ensure the due payment of pensions to officers who have served the country.