§ GENERAL RUSSELL (Cheltenham)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether the Indian Government has come to any decision as regards refunding their passage money to those officers who were suddenly ordered out to India on the outbreak of hostilities last year; and whether it has been fully represented that these officers, many of whom had been only a few days in England, not only sacrificed their leave, but were put to great expense, which they could ill afford?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIAThe honourable and gallant Member is no doubt aware that all officers who were ordered out to India on the outbreak of hostilities by the proper authorities received their passage money as a matter of course. His question, therefore, must relate to those officers who returned to India on that occasion, though not summoned by the Indian Government. As to these cases, I addressed the Viceroy in a dispatch dated the 21st of April, and I have ascertained that the matter is still under the consideration of his Government, and that a reply will be sent as soon as possible.