§ Mr. HAYESasked the Under-Secretary of State for India (1) whether a State contribution is provided for in the family pension scheme now under the consideration of the Government of India for the All-India Services other than the Indian Civil Service; and, if so, whether this State contribution is to be similar to that granted to the Indian Civil Service Family Pension Fund;
(2) whether he is aware that the Indian Police Service is the only police force in the British Empire in which no provision is made for the families of deceased police officers; and whether, in view of the recommendation of such a provision made by three Royal Commissions during the past 20 years, he is in a position to say whether proposals are now being considered to remedy this undesirable state of affairs;
(3) whether the services affected by the family pension scheme now under the consideration of the Government of India have been consulted in any way, either officially or through their recognised associations, as to the acceptability or otherwise of the proposals embodied in the scheme; and, if not, whether steps will be taken to ascertain opinion on this subject?
§ Earl WINTERTONA family pension scheme for European members of the All-India Services, including the Imperial Police Service, is at present under the consideration of the Government of India. The Government of India's views have not yet been received, and I regret that I cannot give any details of it at present. The services affected will be consulted before any scheme is brought into operation.