§ Sir J. D. REESasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Secretary of State proposes to extend the rule under which widows of Indian officers who entered the service before 1873 are allowed to visit India; and whether he will consider the advisability of removing these restrictions altogether and allowing such widows to draw their sterling pensions in India without any time limit?
§ Mr. H. BAKERThe Military Funds Widows' Pensions referred to were fixed and subscribed for on a rupee basis. Under the rules widows not resident in India are allowed to draw their rupee pensions in sterling at special rates in excess of 2s. per rupee. The sterling pensions so received greatly exceed in valu3 the amount that would be due if payment were made in rupees, the excess falling upon the Indian taxpayer. As a further privilege widows visiting India are allowed to continue enjoying the advantageous sterling rate for the first two years after their arrival there. The Secretary of State does not propose to throw an additional charge on the revenues of India by extending this period.