§ 1. Sir J. D. REESasked the Secretary of State for India whether any and, if so, what material improvements have been effected in the position of Indian officers and Indian men of the Indian Army since the commencement of the War; whether any statement relative to this matter was laid by the Commander-in-Chief in India; and, if so, whether the substance of such statement will be made public in the United Kingdom?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Mr. Montagu)Since the beginning of the War the following improvements in 2174 the conditions of service of Indian officers and Indian soldiers have been made:
I am not aware of any statement that has been laid by the Commander-in-Chief on the matter, but if my hon. Friend has any information on the subject I should be glad if he would communicate it to me.
- (1) Free rations have been given to all ranks.
- (2) Field service batta has been in creased.
- (3) Special allowances have been granted for service in certain fields of operations outside India.
- (4) The scale of pensions and the conditions on which they are granted have been improved.
- (5) Sanction has been given for a large number of rewards for distinguished war service, in the form of land grants or special pensions
- (6) The pay of ranks above sepoy or sowar has been increased, and a bonus given to recruits on joining.
§ Sir J. D. REESMay I ask if I am right in supposing that these are very considerable improvements which my right hon. Friend has enumerated?
§ Mr. MONTAGUYes; they are very considerable improvements in the Service on the conditions obtaining in the first days of the War.