§ 27. Mr. BUTCHERasked the Secretary of State for India whether general officers who have been appointed to the command 635 of divisions of the Indian Army on active service since the outbreak of the War receive Rs. 3,000 a month, while generals appointed to the command of such divisions prior to the War or of divisions stationed in India under peace conditions receive Rs. 3,500 per month; if so, whether he will state the reason for this difference; and whether he will reconsider, or request the proper authorities to reconsider, the whole question of the pay of Indian officers and in particular the points above referred to?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Mr. Chamberlain)Previous to the War the pay under Indian Regulations of a divisional commander on field service, not being a divisional commander on the permanent establishment, was Rs. 2,500 a month. This has since been raised to Rs. 3,000. The higher rate of pay which a general officer holding a substantive divisional command in India receives has been fixed on other considerations. I see no sufficient reason for inviting the Government of India to reconsider the matter.
§ Mr. BUTCHERAre the Government of India considering the general question of the pay of Indian officers?
§ Mr. CHAMBERLAINBoth the Government of India and myself always have had to consider a great number of questions relating to these matters, but I do not think there is any outstanding question now.