§ Sir H. CAYZERasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been drawn to the claims of those officers of the Indian Civil Services who retired prior to the 23rd July, 1913, and consequently do not enjoy the increase of pension granted to retired officers of the Indian Civil Service; and whether he is prepared to recommend the appointment of an independent tribunal to inquire into the claims of those retired officers?
§ Mr. RICHARDSIt is not the case that any increase of pension has been granted to retired members of the Indian Civil Service. The hon. and gallant Member may, however, have in mind the claim of those members of services of the Government of India other than the Indian Civil Service who retired before 23rd July, 1913, that they should be allowed the benefit of the higher scale of maximum pensions granted to officers who retired after that date. For reasons given in my predecessor's reply to the hon. Member for Stroud on the 15th May,460W 1923, this claim has been rejected. It has received exhaustive and impartial consideration by three successive Secretaries of State, and my Noble Friend is not prepared to refer the question to an independent tribunal.