§ Captain BOWYERasked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware of the great disappointment caused to retired officers of the Indian Army reemployed during the War by the frequent postponement of the announcement of the new rates of retired pay which has been promised; and when these new rates will be introduced?
§ Mr. MONTAGUI am aware of the fact, and I much regret the delay that has taken place in settling the revised rates of Indian Army Pensions. But the matter could only be dealt with in communication with the Government of India. I cannot yet state when the revised rates will be published.
§ Sir J. AGG-GARDNERasked the Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the great increase in the cost of living, the pensions granted to officers in the Indian Army before the late War may be reconsidered with the object of 1253W placing them on a basis more in accordance with the existing conditions of life?
§ Mr. MONTAGUOfficers of the Indian Army who had retired before the War, but have rendered satisfactory military service during the War, will have the benefit of the revised scale of pensions, on the same principle as has been adopted by the Army Council in dealing with retired officers of the British Army, With regard to retired officers who were not re-employed in the War, I am in communication with the Government of India as to whether any assistance could be given to officers who were invalided from the Service on comparatively small pensions, and I hope it will not be long before a decision is arrived at. In the case of officers who retired voluntarily, and who have not been re-employed during the War, I must be guided by the action of the War Office in the case of officers of the British Service similarly situated. Hitherto no increase to the retired pay of such officers has been sanctioned.