§ SIR SEYMOUR KING (Hull, Central)To ask the Secretary of State for India whether he has yet consulted the Government of India on the Question put to him on 24th March,† 1904, as to whether the attention of his military advisers has been directed to the fact that, as a result of the unification of the Indian Army, officers are liable to be shifted on promotion, and more frequently without promotion, from one end of India to another, sometimes within short periods, each change involving a break up and renewal of establishment and a considerable expense to the officer concerned: and whether, at least in cases where the transfer is not accompanied by substantial promotion, but is made with no advantage to the individual, reasonable compensation for the expense involved to him by such transfer could be awarded, and what steps have been taken.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Brodrick.) I have consulted the Government of India, who reply that, while the liability of military officers to transfer is inseparable from the conditions of military service, no recent changes have been made in regulations; and transfers, though sometimes necessary for the good of the service, are rare in the case of regimental officers, and with regard to staff officers are never ordered without due consideration. The travelling expenses of officers on transfer are paid.