§ Captain BOWYERasked the Secretary of State for India whether he can yet make any statement with regard to the requests put forward by the deputation of generals of the Indian Army on 4th November of last year with regard to the family pensions funds; whether he has considered the claim that this fund should be credited with the cost of management since 1873, that the interest allowed on the accumulated balance of these funds, which amounts to more than £3,000,000 should be raised from 4 per cent. to 5 per cent., with effect from 1914, and that the reserve surplus of £700,000, for which there is no definite liability, should be dealt with to the benefit of widows and orphans; and whether he is aware that every delay causes further distress to compulsory officer subscribers' dependants, many of whom are in very grievous circumstances?
§ Mr. MONTAGUThe rate of interest allowed on accumulated balances in the Indian Military Service Family Pensions and other similar funds has been increased from 4 per cent, to 5½ per cent. per annum with effect from 1st April, 1919. The other matters raised in the hon. Member's question are still under consideration.