HC Deb 30 March 1920 vol 127 cc1056-7
18. Colonel YATE

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, considering that officers of the British Army, the Navy, and the Air Force, all drew full pay during the whole time they were prisoners of War, and that the scale of pay of officers of the Air Force was in all cases, up to the rank of lieutenant-colonel, higher than that of officers of the Indian Army at the rate of exchange then current, he will now state what grounds there are for the War Office's decision to arbitrarily deprive officers of the Indian Army of half their staff allowances after the first 61 days of captivity on the plea that they were drawing more pay than officers of the British service?

Sir A. WILLIAMSON

Nothing has happened to change the position since I answered my hon. and gallant Friend's similar question on the 9th instant.

Colonel YATE

What does the right hon. Gentleman mean by saying that nothing has happened to change the position when it is proved by his own reply that the Indian Army officers drew less pay than the English Army officers when in captivity?

Sir A. WILLIAMSON

Nothing has happened to change the decision of the War Office with regard to that.

Colonel YATE

How is that if it is proved that Indian Army officers drew less pay than British Service officers, and that the right hon. Gentleman's statement was wrong?

Sir A. WILLIAMSON

I am afraid I can add nothing to the answer.

Colonel YATE

Then the War Office refuses to do justice to these Indian Army officers, and the reward for those who made the heroic defence of Kut is that they are to be mulcted of half their Staff pay?

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. and gallant Gentleman is making a statement.