HC Deb 29 May 1893 vol 12 c1421
SIR SEYMOUR KING (Hull, Central)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Surgeon Lieutenant-Colonel Benjamin Franklin, who entered the Indian Service on the 1st April 1869, under the Military Furlough Rules of 1868, which stated in effect that his furlough pay would be issued to him at the exchange of 2s. for the rupee; whether he has petitioned the Secretary of State to have his name added to the list of those officers who have been declared to be entitled to be paid at par when on furlough, and his petition has been rejected; and why the Secretary of State declines to comply with the terms of the contract under which Surgeon Lieutenant-Colonel Franklin entered the Service?

*THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Mr. GEORGE RUSSELL,) North Beds.

Yes, Sir. The attention of the Secretary of State has been drawn to this case. (2.) In 1886 Surgeon Lieutenant-Colonel Franklin petitioned the Secretary of State to the effect mentioned in the second part of the question. (3.) The Secretary of State was unable to admit that this officer had any claim, under the terms on which he entered the Service, to receive furlough pay at the rate of 2s. the rupee.

SIR SEYMOUR KING

Would the hon. Gentleman mind saying why?

MR. GEORGE RUSSELL

The Secretary of State has the power, and therefore the duty, to regulate this scale of pay entirely at his own discretion, and there is no compact or bargain in the case.