§ 2. Major-General Sir ALFRED KNOXasked the Secretary of State for India whether he will consider the possibility of the Government arranging a scheme of insurance for the pensions of British officers and officials who have served or are now serving in India, in view of the fact that of late years insurance companies have refused to undertake the risk?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Sir Samuel Hoare)I do not consider that any arrangement of the kind would be practicable, even if it were desirable.
§ Sir A. KNOXDoes my right hon. Friend realise the great anxiety of large 740 numbers of these people, who have no means of livelihood except a pension earned in India?
§ Sir S. HOAREThat may be so, but I do not think it has anything to do with my hon. and gallant Friend's question. He asked about insurance. Obviously, the Government cannot insure itself against repudiating its own contracts.
§ Sir A. KNOXIs the Government at home responsible for all these pensions?
§ Sir S. HOAREMy hon. and gallant Friend raises a very big question. He had better refer to former answers on that point.