Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Clause stand part of the Bill."

I should like to ask a question about this Clause in general, which is designed, so far as I can see, to ensure the making of certain payments to officers; and if I can have an answer about the general purpose of it, I would refer in particular to Subsection (3), on the subject of advisers to the Secretary of State. As from the appointed day—that means, from 15th August—the advisers to the Secretary of State will terminate their appointments; and in future, of course, there will not be a Secretary of State for India and, presumably, therefore, there will be no advisers to any new Minister of the type to whom the Prime Minister referred, when the new Minister works in the Department of Commonwealth Relations. That is all quite clear. I should like to ask a question about the future of the advisers. I do not know on what terms and conditions they accepted their appointments, or whether any question of compensation arises in the officers' appointments being terminated abruptly on 15th August.

The Committee will remember that at the time of the 1935 Act the old Council of India came to an end. I had the honour of attending its last meeting, at which a photograph was taken which I still treasure and preserve. After that some advisers were appointed to assist the Secretary of State, and I believe they have rendered useful service ever since. I know that when I was in the right hon. and learned Gentleman's position, I used to hurry to them and obtain secret information so as to appear wiser than I really was. Some of these gentlemen are of great eminence. In fact, they all are. They have served the State and India, many of them, for many years in a variety of capacities. Some of them have had special financial knowledge, like Sir Henry Strakosch, and others have had special administrative knowledge; and they are men of great standing. I do not think it would be right to let the Clause go by without a tribute to the work of the advisers and the services they have rendered in the past, and I am sure the Committee will be glad to know of any arrangements the Government have in mind for concluding their appointments in an honourable and dignified way, and in completely satisfying the Committee as to the nature of their services. I hope that before we let the Clause go, the Committee will join with me in paying tribute to these distinguished persons and the services they have rendered.

I should certainly like to associate myself with the tribute which has been paid by the right hon. Gentleman to these distinguished men who have been acting as the Secretary of State's Advisers. I would, of course, remind him—no doubt, he knows full well—that many of those at present in office have already reached their maximum rates of pension; and that, therefore, there can be no question of payment of compensation. But I think that the right hon. Gentleman can leave it to His Majesty's Government to ensure that their engagements are brought to an end in the proper manner. I could not enter into any commitments as regards payment of compensation.

I do not want to press this, because I am quite sure that these distinguished persons would not desire this to be a matter of very great moment. I would only like to say, it must be obvious that they are performing their services on certain terms and that, to put it bluntly, those terms will come to an end. If His Majesty's Government could look into this matter in a favourable light, I am sure we would all feel very happy.

Question put, and agreed to.

Clause ordered to stand part of the Bill.