asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if he has yet any announcement to make in regard to compensation payable for chaplains of the Indian Ecclesiastical Establishment.

The question of the grant of compensation to officers of the Secretary of State's Services in India, including the Indian Ecclesiastical Establishment, is still under consideration, and it is not yet possible to make any announcement in regard to it.

Is my right hon. and learned Friend aware that we have had that answer a great many times, and will he say when an announcement will be made, because these gentlemen can hardly be expected to plan their careers without information?

With great respect to my hon. Friend, I do not think it is correct to say that the reply I gave has been given many times. This is the first time that this Question has been asked across the Floor of the House. We cannot fix a specific date until we have completed our consideration of the problems involved.

Can the right hon. and learned Gentleman say whether it is intended to withdraw State chaplains and State bishops in June of next year?

It is impossible for me to reply to that question at the moment.

Is not my right hon. and learned Friend aware that I asked an almost identical Question a few months ago?

"Almost identical" is not identical.