§ 82. Brigadier-General SURTEESasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonics whether the recent decision of the Government to fix the value of the rupee in British East Africa will adversely affect the buying power of East African officials; if so, to what extent; will such officials continue to be paid at 15 rupees to the £ sterling; if not, what steps does the Government propose to take to insure officers retaining their present buying power on the salaries paid them; and will such steps be in addition to and not in substitution of any steps which it is proposed to take to carry out the recommendations for the improvement of officers' pay and pensions?
§ Lieut.-Colonel AMERYDuring the gradual appreciation of the Indian rupee the practice of issuing sterling salaries locally at 15 rupees to the pound has been continued as a temporary arrangement, in view of the fact that the cost of living, as reckoned in rupees, remained unchanged. Future arrangements are under consideration, but the hon. and gallant Member need not fear that the reforms contemplated in the pay of the East African service will be rendered illusory by cutting down in rupees the nominal increase in sterling pay.