§ Mr. NEWBOULDasked the Undersecretary of State for the Colonies whether he can state the average length of life after retirement of West African officials; whether it is proposed to increase the length of service before 1927W retirement on pension; and whether it is proposed to revise the leave regulations and, if so, in what manner?
§ Lieut.-Colonel AMERYThe reply to the first part of the question is in the negative, as statistics have not been kept. The matters referred to in the other part of the. question are now under consideration, but no final decision has yet been arrived at with regard to them. Certain changes have been proposed in the existing leave and pension regulations, in the mutual interest of Government and officials. While it is hoped to secure a more efficient administration by changes in certain directions, it is proposed to make liberal concessions to officials in others. In any case, it is not proposed that the new arrangements should be applied to officers who joined the Service before 1919, except by their own wish.