HC Deb 17 February 1919 vol 112 cc532-4
18. Viscount WOLMER

asked the Secretary of State for India what advances in the rates of pay have been made to second-lieutenants, lieutenants, captains, majors, lieutenant-colonels, and colonels, in the Indian Army since the outbreak of war?

Mr. MONTAGU

The pay of officers of the Indian Army has been indirectly increased during the War by the following measures:

  1. (1) Accelerated promotion up to Major, carrying pay of rank from 1st September,. 1916.
  2. (2) Children's allowances from 1st October, 1917, for officers up to Captain.
  3. 533
  4. (3) Acting rank up to that of Lieutenant-Colonel with pay for officers temporarily holding higher appointments.
  5. (4) In addition, the ordinary leave pay of Indian Army officers has been considerably improved, as also the leave pay for the first nine months of officers invalided from field service.
  6. (5) No general increase in the rates of pay of officers of the Indian Army has so far been granted, but the Government of India are considering the extension to them of the bonus in creases of pay recently granted by His Majesty's Government to officers of the British Regular Army for the period during which armies of occupation may be necessary.

19. Viscount WOLMER

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the Indian Government in paying officers of the Indian Army have cancelled the rate of exchange compensation allowance which had previously always been admitted; and, if so, what is the reason for this action?

Mr. MONTAGU

The answer to the first question is in the affirmative. As stated, in my reply to a similar question by my hon. Friend the Member for Melton on the 23rd October last, the instructions were issued by the Government of India under the standing orders relating to this allowance, which falls as the exchange value of the rupee rises.

Viscount WOLMER

Is not the effect of this substantially to reduce the pay of officers in the Indian Army?

Mr. MONTAGU

I do not think so. The exchange compensation allowance has has been reduced as the rupee rose from 1s. 4d. to 1s. 6d.

Colonel YATE

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is no officer in the Indian Army who can afford to remit money homo—he cannot live on it as it is—and is it not therefore a reduction?

Mr. MONTAGU

If my hon. and gallant Friend will read the answer I gave last October, that will give the actual effect upon the pay of an officer of this arrangement. It does not reduce it.

Viscount WOLMER

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a great deal of feeling about this in the Indian Army?

Mr. MONTAGU

Yes; I am aware of that. I think it arises from a lack of appreciation of the effect.