asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether, considering that the Indian Cantonments Bill has been passed into law, he can state whether, under the changed conditions of service, Indian Army officers in civil employment as cantonment magistrates will now be permitted to retire on proportionate pensions the same as other officers in similar positions?

The answer is in the negative. The changes in the conditions of service of members of the present Cantonment Magistrates Department which are provided for in the Cantonments Bill are not similar to the changes in the conditions of service of those officers who are eligible for retirement on proportionate pensions.

Will the hon. Gentleman reconsider this matter? The last Government said it would receive consideration, and I think the hon. Gentleman will find that the circumstances are very similar.

The hon. and gallant Member is under some misapprehension. I think the position in the two cases is entirely different.

Not at all.