§ SIR SEYMOUR KING (Hull, Central)To ask the Secretary of State for India whether he will make inquiry as
*See Appendix to this Volume.84 to the reason why the Indian Pay Department refused to continue to the British officers in the only Burma battalion of Madras Infantry which has been serving in China the local allowance of 100 rupees per mensem granted to them under paragraph 847 Part 1., Volume I., Army Regulations (India), Sec. IV., although their extra allowances have been paid in China to the native ranks of the same battalion; and, whether, considering the officers have to pay their servants in China the extra Burma rates (being double those of bearers and syces of the ordinary Indian Army), with additional expense for their rations, clothes, fuel and lighting, and extra cost of men-establishment, the decision of the Pay Department can be revised.(Answer.) In the Regulations quoted by my hon. friend it is distinctly stated that to the British officers of Burma battalions the Burma allowance is admissible only whilst present with their regiments in Burma; and, on the other hand, that to the native ranks the local allowance will be continued when they are employed elsewhere on field service or on duty or on foreign service beyond sea. The extra expense referred to in the Question is equally entailed upon officers of all regiments when serving in China, and I am not prepared to give any order which would have the effect of placing the officers of the Burma battalion in a more advantageous position than the officers of other regiments employed on the same service.—(India Office.)