HC Deb 20 March 1902 vol 105 cc541-2
* SIR CHARLES DILKE (Gloucestershire. Forest of Dean)

I beg lo ask the Secretary of State for India whether he will state at what date the Indian Government were consulted as to the cost to India, of increased pay to the British troops on the Indian establishment, and whether they were informed that the remainder of an eight-year Colour Service after the portion of Service of the recruit spent at home was a maximum in the scheme, or whether suggestions for prolonging the Service by two or tour years were a portion of the matter on which they were consulted; whether he can inform the House what would be the financial difference to India between the scheme as placed before the House of Commons and a scheme in which the usual term of Indian Service would be either two or four years longer; when the full reply from India is expected; and whether the written opinions of the members of the Viceroy's Council upon the subject will be laid before Parliament; and whether he has received any official Reports showing the effect as regards efficiency of the prolongation of Service beyond eight years in the case of those soldiers who have accepted the arrangements proposed for temporary prolongation during the present war.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Lord G. HAMILTON,) Middlesex, Ealing

It was on the 26th of February that the Secretary of State for India in Council was officially informed by the Secretary of State for War of the decision of His Majesty's Government in connection with the increased pay to British troops, and this decision was at once telegraphed to the Government of India. As vet, no reply has been sent to the communication received from the War Office, but the Secretary of State in Council, in framing his reply, will give due weight to the views of the Government of India. No question has been raised as to the prolongation of the Service by a further term of two or four years. I cannot say what would be the financial effect of such a measure upon the revenues of India, as the saving would be only in transport charges, which cannot easily be estimated, and against this there might be an increase in invaliding. I can form no opinion at present as to the date when the correspondence will be complete; till then I cannot undertake to lay Papers on the Table In reply to the last Question, we have received no such reports.

* SIR CHARLES DILKE

gave notice that he would deal with the question the; next day on the Army Votes.