§ Sir J. D. REESasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether members of the Indian Imperial Services recruited in England, except those of the police and education departments, enjoy the privilege of retiring voluntarily on full pension after twenty-five years' service; and, if so, whether, in view of the present unpopularity of these services, of the frequent resignations from that of education, and of the fact that the latter service is not represented on the Indian Public Services Commission, and that the Government of India withholds petitions to the Secretary of State from officers of this service, he will consider the desirability of placing the Indian educational service on the same footing in respect of pension and otherwise as other Imperial services?
Mr. BAKERIt was explained to the hon. Member, in answer to his question of 8th October last, that the pension rules in the Indian Educational Service are (with an important exception in favour of that service) the ordinary rules for pension in Civil Departments other than the Covenanted Civil Service. The privilege of retiring voluntarily on full pension after 681W twenty-five years' service is enjoyed only by the Public Works, Forest, and Geological Survey Departments. Petitions from educational officers have been duly transmitted by the Government of India, but decisions have been deferred in view of the appointment of the Public Service Commission, The Secretary of State does not agree that service in the police and education Departments is unpopular, or that resignations from the latter service are frequent.