Colonel YATEasked the Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to the Ceylon Government Sessional Paper IV., of 1920, regarding the grant of increased salaries and pensions to meet the extra cost of living; and whether he will move the Government of India to follow suit and grant an increase to their pensioners, whether resident in or out of India, as has been done in Ceylon?
Mr. FISHER (for Mr. Montagu)Yes, Sir, both the Government of India and I are aware of the increases granted by the Government of Ceylon. I am considering with the Government of India the question of granting to their pensioners here and in India some relief to meet the extra cost of living, but I fear it is very improbable that any relief that may be given will extend to officers in receipt of incomes in excess of the maxima fixed under the recent Pensions (Increase) Act, 1920, in the case of pensioners of the British Government.