§ Mr. RAWLINSONasked the Secretary of State for India in what class of case it is intended to use the power contained in II. (4) of the resolution sanctioning the recommendation in regard to the pensions of gazetted officers of certain services, dated 15th November, 1919, whereby the Government will have an absolute right to retire any officer after he has completed 25 years' service without necessity to give reasons and without any 44W claim for compensation; and whether this power will be used for the purpose of merely reducing the number of the staff?
§ Mr. MONTAGUThe power is general, but there is no reason to suppose that Government will exercise it except when it is in the public interest to dispense with the further services of an officer. Government has always possessed power to dispense with the services of an officer for the purpose of reducing establishment.