§ 14. Mr. HERBERT WILLIAMSasked the Under-Secretary of State for India, what is the reason that the scales of pay for British engineers of United Kingdom parentage but born in India are lower than for British engineers horn in the United Kingdom?
§ Earl WINTERTONI presume my hon. Friend refers to officers who were appointed to the Indian Service of Engineers from the Indian Engineering Colleges. These officers obtained their appointments by claiming to be of Indian domicile and are, therefore, not entitled to the "overseas pay" which is given to officers of European domicile. Otherwise the scales of pay are equal.
§ Mr. WARDLAW-MILNEWill not my Noble Friend consider the fact that although these engineers are recruited in India their standard of living is precisely the same as that of Europeans?
§ Earl WINTERTONI most emphatically disagree from my hon. Friend. I do not think he is familiar with the reason why overseas pay is given. It has nothing to do with the standard of living. It is given because in the case of those who are domiciled in this country it is considered necessary that they should have some extra emoluments.
§ Mr. WARDLAW-MILNEIs my Noble Friend not aware that the same officers have the same expenses, because they in turn send their children to this country to be educated?
§ Earl WINTERTONThese officers obtain their appointments by virtue of the fact that they are statutory. They are not, therefore, entitled to the same concessions that are granted to a native of this country.