§ MR. BUCHANAN (Perthshire, E.)To ask the Secretary of State for India how much of the £536,400 increased Army expenditure in the present Indian Budget is due to the increase of pay to the British troops in India.
(Answered by Secretary Lord George Hamilton.) I have not received full details from India showing the cause of each increase and decrease of expenditure allowed for in the Budget; but, since the rate of pay of the British soldier in India is to be the same in 1903–4 as in 1902–3, no part of the increase to which the hon. Member draws attention can be due to the cause which he suggests. The chief increase owing to the new recruiting scheme will take effect from 1st April, 1904, and will I have to be provided for a year hence in the Budget for 1904–5.