§ 20. Mr. FELLasked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he proposes to take any steps to remedy the grievance of the officers of the Indian Army, who receive no promotion except by time service notwithstanding the losses they are sustaining in the field and the fact that they are necessarily doing the duty of a grade superior to that for which they are paid?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Mr. Chamberlain)The British and Indian Army systems of pay and promotion differ greatly. In the British Army promotion depends upon the occurrence of vacancies in the cadres. In the Indian Army officers receive promotion according to length of service, irrespective of the occurrence of such vacancies. It follows that in times of peace promotion is, on the 2265 whole, more rapid in the Indian Army, whilst in a great War like the present the advantage in this respect is with the British Army. But the emoluments of officers in the Indian Army do not depend only on their rank as regulated by the time scale, but also on their regimental or staff appointments. Temporary promotion in such appointments, both officiating and substantive, is given as vacancies occur, and, when given, carries an increase of emoluments. Temporary rank has also been given in certain cases of temporarily increased responsibility, and the question of extending this practice is under consideration.