§ 52. Captain P. MACDONALDasked the Secretary of State for India if he is now in a position to state whether it is the intention of the Government to make itself responsible for the payment of pensions to officers who have served in India 268 and to the widows of such officers, whatever action may be taken by any future Government of India in this connection?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Mr. Butler)I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend to my hon. Friend the Member for Preston (Mr. Kirkpatrick) on 7th March, 1932, and to a letter which my right hon. Friend recently addressed to my hon. Friend the Member for Farnham (Sir A. M. Samuel) and which was communicated to the Press. I am sending a copy to my hon. Friend. I have nothing to add to these statements. In the event of the reconstitution of the Joint Select Committee, they are sure to give full consideration to this question.
§ Captain MACDONALDIs the hon. Member aware that neither the reply to that question, nor the letter circulated to the Press, has in any way allayed the fears of Indian pensioners upon this question, and will he take an early opportunity of making a statement?
§ Sir W. DAVISONIs my hon. Friend aware that neither Lloyds nor any leading insurance company is now prepared to insure these pensioners, and does not he consider that that is proof that the security of these pensions has deteriorated since the issue of the White Paper?
§ Mr. BUTLERWith reference to the question of my hon. Friend, I have nothing to add at the present time to the letter which my right hon. Friend addressed to the hon. Member for Farnham (Sir A. M. Samuel), and I feel convinced that when the pensioners realise its contents their fears will be allayed. With reference to insurance companies, if my hon. Friend will put the question on the Order Paper I shall have great pleasure in answering it.
§ Sir A. M. SAMUELWill my hon. Friend tell the House that there is some misapprehension about these insurance companies? Is it not a fact that no insurance company will insure any pension of any kind quite apart from the Indian pension?
§ Sir W. DAVISONIs my hon. Friend aware that that is not so, and that they were previously insured? The hon. Member for Farnham (Sir A. M. Samuel) ought to study his facts.