§ 3 and 5. Mr. PETOasked the Secretary of State for India (1) whether it has now been decided to extend the allowances for children of officers of junior rank to the case of officers in receipt of Indian rates of pay; (2) whether a decision has yet been Arrived at with regard to the extension of the grant of children's allowances to officers of junior rank in receipt of Indian Army pay; and whether this will be retrospective to the date of the recent Royal Warrant?
§ Mr. MONTAGUI would refer the hon. Member to the notice which appeared in the Press on 29th May. Subject to the conditions stated, junior ranks of the British Army on Indian rates of pay are eligible for children's allowance, and the grant is retrospective to 1st October, 1917, the date applicable to officers of the British Army under the Royal Warrant. The allowance is not at present admissible to junior ranks of the Indian Army, but the question of their inclusion in the concession is under consideration.
§ Mr. PETOMay I ask whether, as the pay of lieutenants and sub-lieutenants is practically identical, whether m the Indian Army or the British Army the lieutenants and sub-lieutenants will receive the same children's allowances on their pay in the Indian Army?
§ Mr. MONTAGUIt is that sort of reason which makes it essential to consider the Indian Army now that a concession has been given to the British Army on Indian rates of pay, but the two matters have to be dealt with separately. I have not yet any information on the second point from the Government of India as to the result of their consideration, but I will let the hon. Gentleman know as soon as I receive it.