§ Sir W. BULLasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to the case of Mela Ram, of Vehra Ramgarhian, Gwalmandi, Lahore, formerly an inspector in the railway mail service, who was compelled to retire at the age of 53 instead of 55 owing to the date of his birth being mis-stated in the service book as 12th April, 1868, instead of 12th April, 1870; whether he is aware that Mela Ram's requests to have this error corrected and to be permitted to serve for a further period of two years have been refused, and that representations by him to the Governor-General and to the Secretary of State for India have been withheld under the rules laid down for the submission of representations by officers in respect of their position in Government service; and whether the Government of India will reconsider the case?
§ Earl WINTERTONThe matters to which my right hon. Friend refers are entirely within the discretion of the Government of India.