§ MR. DONALD SULLIVANasked the Secretary of State for War, Whether it is a fact that, while Protestant Chaplains with the Army in India are allowed full pay when they fall ill, and when they take their vacation, Catholic Chaplains under similar circumstances are de- 882 prived of all pay; and, if so, whether he will take immediate steps to remedy the unequal treatment of the Catholic Chaplains?
THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Sir UGHTRED KAY-SHUTTLEWORTH)(who replied) said: Chaplains on the Indian Establishment—that is, Protestant chaplains—are Government servants appointed by the State. As such, they receive, under the provisions of the Leave Code, allowances when on leave, whether with or without medical certificate. The Roman Catholic priests who minister to the British troops in India are not Government servants, and are not appointed by the State. The Government merely pays them certain allowances for the ministrations which they afford to the soldiers; but beyond this they have no connection with the State. I am not aware that they are deprived of all pay when casually prevented by sickness from doing duty. The question of the position of Roman Catholic priests in India was carefully considered in 1876, and the matter was then placed on the footing on which it now stands. The details of the arrangement are to be found in Return No. 243 of 1876.