HC Deb 23 June 1920 vol 130 cc2155-6
9. Colonel YATE

asked the Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to the fact that chaplains of the Indian ecclesiastical establishment, serving overseas out of India after the Armistice, have since their return to India been called upon to refund the Army of Occupation bonus drawn by them under Army Order 54 of 1919, and also have been refused the special war leave granted to all officers of the Indian Army on service with them; and whether he will take the necessary steps to have these grievances remedied?

Mr. MONTAGU

I have no information whether refunds have been called for, but, as regards the claims of these chaplains to the bonus, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given on 14th May to the hon. and gallant Member for St. Albans, of which I will send him a copy. The grant of After-War Leave is confined to officers serving under military leave rules. Like other civil officers employed on military duty during the War, these chaplains are entitled to the corresponding civil concession of accumulating privilege leave up to six months, subject to certain conditions.

Colonel YATE

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I have had various letters from chaplains in India telling me that they have been obliged to refund their war bonus in one lump sum, that their pay does not allow of that, and that they have been very hardly hit?

Mr. MONTAGU

I shall certainly inquire into that. If my hon. and gallant Friend will send me a specimen letter, I shall be able to investigate the actual facts.

Lieut.-Colonel FREMANTLE

May I also send the right hon. Gentleman instances of the same?

Mr. MONTAGU

I shall be very glad to receive that, but one will be sufficient.