§ SIR MANCHERJEE BHOWNAGGREETo ask the Secretary of State for War if, in view of the second paragraph of the War Office letter to the India Office of the 18th June, 1902, he would treat a communication to the Indian Government of proposals involving a large recurring increase of the
† See page 857.1441 military expenditure of that Government as other than confidential, and as attended by the risk of premature discloures referred to in that paragraph; and, further, if the Secretary of State for India took part in the discussion of the proposed increase of the pay of the British soldier which is therein stated to have been considered by His Majesty's Government from the standpoint of the interests of the Empire as a whole, or if the words His Majesty's Government in that connection signify the Secretary of State for War and his Departmental advisers only.(Answered by Mr. Secretary Brodrick). My hon. friend has misunderstood the purport of the paragraph quoted. Any question of an increase of par to the Army is necessarily kept strictly confidential, as such proposals, if not carried through after they have been entertained, would lead to discontent. The expression His Majesty's Government includes the Secretary of State for India, who was present at the discussions.