§ SIR SEYMOUR KING (Hull, Central)To ask the Secretary of State for India whether, seeing that officers under military rules travelling to India by the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company, the British India Steam Navigation Company, and the Anchor Line are exempted from the penalty attaching to overstaying their leave by reason of delay in the arrival of the steamer provided the steamer's time to arrive is within the period of their leave, he will explain why the same privilege is not extended to officers under the provisions of the Civil Service Regulations, or to the civilians in Goverment employ; and whether he will take steps to place both services on the same footing.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Morley.) I am not aware that any inconvenience has resulted from the difference to which the hon. Member draws attention between the leave rules of the Civil and Military Services, nor can I find that any representations on the subject have been made by any Civil Officer to the India Office. But I will consult the Government of India as to the desirability of assimilating the Civil to the Military Regulations in respect of the remission of penalties for overstaying leave when the overstayal is due to delay in the arrival of a steamer.