§ MR. JOWETT (Bradford, W.)To ask the Secretary of State for India whether, under the new system of proficiency pay, men serving in India who have re-engaged for twelve months, in consideration of receiving 6d. a day extra pay, are liable to lose 2½d. a day in the event of their being classed as second-class shots, although no such deduction was contemplated or agreed to at the time of signing on; and whether, in view of the fact that this deduction may be regarded as a breach of contract, he can amend the order regarding proficiency pay.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Morley.) The conditions upon which men serving in India have agreed to extend their service include neither a promise of extra pay nor a guarantee against the reduction of proficiency pay from 6d. to 3d. a day in the case of a man who ceases to qualify as a first-class shot. This reduction takes place also under War Office regulations, and was not introduced with the new system, a similar reduction having been made in service pay, in similar circumstances, under the old rules.