§ Sir B. FALLEasked the Secretary of State for India if the concessions granted to retired members of the Indian Civil Service in India Office Circulars F 691, of the 30th January, 1920, and AG 116F, of the 2nd February, 1920, which have the effect of increasing their sterling pension in proportion to the appreciation of the rupee, are applicable to retired officers of the Indian Army; and, if not, can he give the reason?
§ Mr. FISHERThe answer is in the negative. Retired Indian Civil Servants entitled to full annuity have for nearly half a century had the right either to draw the sterling annuity in this country or a certain fixed number of rupees in 2233W India. The concession made to them is, now that it has become to the advantage to adopt the latter alternative, that instead of having to make their own private arrangements for remittance they are allowed to draw the sterling equivalent at current rates of exchange from the India Office. The case of Indian Army Officers is not parallel, as their pensions have always been fixed in sterling only.