§ MR. A. D. PROVAND (Glasgow, Blackfriars)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India by how much has the Indian Finance Minister estimated the additional charge incurred by the advanced rate of pay to British troops on service in India in excess of the 27 lakhs and 20 lakhs provided for in his current Estimates; whether he can say how long this additional charge is likely to press on the India finances; and whether the Imperial Treasury will pay the whole or any portion of the excess until the charge is adjusted to the Finance Minister's Estimate?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIAThe net permanent charge for the increased pay to British troops in India, that is, after allowing for the abolition of deferred pay, is estimated at 27 lakhs of rupees annually. For the current year the extra charge is now estimated at about 45 lakhs, and this amount will be diminished annually as the abolition of deferred pay has effect till it is reduced, about five years hence, to the above permanent charge of 27 lakhs. As I have already stated in reply to a Question in this House on the 3rd March last, the charge will be borne by Indian revenues.