§ SIR WALTER FOSTER (Derby, Ilkeston)asked the Under Secretary of State for India, Whether an executive officer of the Medical Staff in India, who officiated for less than one month as Deputy Surgeon General in the absence of the Deputy Surgeon General on sick leave or furlough, receives no allowances for the period, although he performed the duties in addition to his other duties; whether, in such an instance, the "half-staff" of the appointment reverted to the State; whether the acting officer would be held pecuniarily liable in the event of loss of stores or other mistakes; and, whether officers officiating on the Military (combatant) Staff in a similar way would draw the "half-staff" for broken periods; and, why the difference is made in the case of medical officers?
THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir JAMES FERGUSSON) () (who replied) Manchester, N.E.said: In accordance with the undertaking given by me on the 17th of June, when this Question was first put, a Despatch on the subject was addressed to the Government of India; but no reply has yet been received.