§ Sir J. Withersasked the Financial Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the surplus disclosed in the Ceylon Widows' and Orphans' Pension Fund at the trienniel valuation by the actuaries in 1933, to which the beneficiaries of that fund have an actual statutory right, has not yet been distributed; and whether, in view of the anxiety aroused amongst members of the public service in Ceylon and their dependants owing to the failure to distribute this surplus and to the introduction last year of an ordinance to reduce the rate of interest payable by the Government on the fund under the present law. he will give an assurance that the law will not be altered to their detriment or to that of their dependants after their death?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreThe report of the actuary on the valuation of the Ceylon730W Widows' and Orphans' Pension Fund as at 31st December, 1933, was received at the end of 1935 and communicated to the Governor of Ceylon. The actuarial and financial questions which arise are of great complexity, and there has necessarily been considerable correspondence between the actuaries (and the Ceylon Government. The matter is clearly one for the consideration of that Government in the first instance, and until I am in possession of its views I am not able to express an opinion.
I am, however, fully aware of the interests of the contributors to the Fund and of the beneficiaries in the matter.