§ 3. Brigadier Petoasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether he will now reply to a letter 'addressed to him dated 31st January, 1949, by the hon. and gallant Member for Barnstaple concerning Indian Army officers' widows' pensions.
§ Mr. P. Noel-BakerI much regret that, owing to a mistake which has not yet been traced, the hon. and gallant Member's letter of 31st of January was lost and cannot now be found. If he will be good enough to send me a copy of it, I will answer him without delay.
§ Brigadier PetoIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the letter referred to the probable reduction of Indian Army officers' widows' pensions foreshadowed in the circular A.G. 13119, undated, issued by the right hon. Gentleman's Department, which forecast that pensions of widows of India Army officers would be reduced by 20 per cent.?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerI could make the hon. and gallant Gentleman an answer now. I have answered many Members of Parliament on that point, but if he will send me the letter I will send him an answer at once.