MR. RAYMOND GREENE (Cambs., Chesterton)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether the Civil Service and officers of the Hong Kong Regiment have been granted compensation allowance owing to the depreciation of silver; and, if so whether there is any reason why similar compensation on their allowances should not be granted to other officers of the Army serving in Hong Kong?
THE UNDER SECRETARY of STATE FOR WAR (Mr. BEODRICK, Guildford, Surrey)Members of the Civil Service in Hong Kong and officers of the Hong Kong Regiment, whose pay is fixed in silver, and who, therefore, are losers by its depreciation, are compensated. The pay of British officers is fixed in gold, and they receive the equivalent amount in silver, according to its current value.