§ SIR SEYMOUR KING (Hull, Central)To ask the Secretary of State for India if he will state what arrangements, if any, have been made for post commission study by seconded officers of the Indian Medical Service; and in what respects the arrangements in force or proposed are similar to or differ from those of the Royal Army Medical Corps and the medical officers of the Royal Navy.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Brodrick.) An officer of the Indian Medical Service may be granted one month's study leave for each year's service up to twelve months in all. During such leave the ordinary furlough pay will be given, with lodging allowances of 4s. 6d. and 8s. a day for lieutenants, captains, and field officers respectively. In the Royal Army Medical Corps the arrangements for post commission study are somewhat different. All junior officers are posted to the Royal Army Medical College for six months. While there they draw their ordinary pay. The examination at the end of the course is combined with examination for promotion to the rank of major. Medical officers of the Royal Navy are required to undergo a post-graduate course of three months once in every eight years. They receive full pay, lodging allowance at the rate of £50 or £70 a year according to rank, and provision allowance at the rate of £24 a year. In addition to the extra furlough for study granted to Indian Medical Service officers they may be seconded before proceeding to India for the purpose of holding appointments in recognised civil hospitals. During such periods they receive no pay from India revenues.