1. Lieut.-Colonel Sir F. HALLasked the Secretary of State for India when he will be able to state what steps are to be taken to remedy the present condition in India under which the rupee rates of pay of British service officers in India are less than the home rates of pay and allowances converted at the current rate of exchange?
§ 5. Lieut.-Colonel CROFTasked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that there is a feeling of discontent amongst all British service officers in India on account of the new rate of pay having been fixed on the assumption that the rupee was not going to fall below a 2s. rate; whether the Civil Service are at present drawing over 8 per cent. on their pay as exchange compensation; whether exchange compensation was given to military officers for two months and was then withdrawn and a refund demanded; and why exchange compensation is granted to the Civil Service and is denied to serving military officers?
§ 6. Colonel Sir C. YATEasked the Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to the statement in the Indian Press of 29th April that a married officer of the British service in India of about 10 years' service finds himself just over £100 worse off than an officer in similar circumstances at home; and whether the Government of India will now grant to all British married officers of the Army in India the same allowances that have been granted to married officers of the British Army at home?
§ 18. Major McMICKINGasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that, owing to the fall in the exchange value of the rupee, married British service officers in India are in a worse position financially than when serving at Home; whether the exchange value of the rupee was approximately 2s. when Army Instruction (India), No. 914, dated 21st October, 1919, was issued; and whether action will be taken to safeguard the financial position of all British service officers in India?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Mr. Montagu)Owing to the fall in exchange, the sterling value of the rupee pay of certain classes of British service officers in India is at present less than the home rates. I have considered the various suggestions made to meet the situation, and have consulted the Government of India. They do not recommend the adoption of any of them, and, given a good monsoon, there is reason to hope for an improvement in exchange. I have considered their views most carefully in Council, and concur in their decision.
§ Major McMICKINGWere the Government, when they sanctioned the new rates of pay in 1919, guided by the rate of exchange current at that time?
§ Mr. MONTAGUI cannot say that off-hand. Of course, the hon. and gallant Gentleman knows that the exchange has fluctuated in a way that nobody could have foreseen some years ago.
§ Major McMICKINGIs it not the case as regards the pay of British non-commissioned officers and men that the value of the rupee is calculated at a fixed rate in sterling?
§ Mr. MONTAGUYes.
§ Major McMICKINGIf that be so in respect to non-commissioned officers and men, why cannot the same principle be applied to officers.
§ Mr. MONTAGUPerhaps my hon. and gallant Friend will put down a question on that subject, and I will give him a considered reply.