§ 1. Colonel Sir C. YATEasked the Secretary of State for India for what reason demobilised officers in India, who have been detained for so many weeks past at Deolali pending transport to England, have been compelled to sign a declaration that they would not hold the Government responsible in the event of accidents occurring out of the trooping season owing to hot weather risks; whether this declaration applies to the wives of the officers concerned; and what compensation is to be given to those officers who have been kept long after the expiration of their contract date at personal loss to themselves?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Mr. Montagu)The declaration was adopted at the instance of the War Office. It does not apply to officers, but only to their families, and is analogous to the undertaking required by the War Office from families going to India from this country. I am considering proposals of the Government of India as to the treatment of officers who may have suffered hardship in this connection, and hope to come to a decision shortly.