§ 8. Colonel APPLINasked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the adverse position of British Service officers in comparison with British officers of the Indian Army in the matter of passages home on furlough; and whether he will consider the possibility of placing them on an equality in the matter of passages home when on leave?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Earl Winterton)I have been asked to reply. I presume my hon. and gallant Friend refers to British Service officers serving in India. British officers of the Indian Army are granted leave concession passages in recognition of the fact that they serve continuously in India. British Service officers are detailed for a limited tour of duty in India and are granted free passages both ways in respect of that tour in accordance with the general conditions governing their service overseas. They are 746 entitled in certain cases to free passages when proceeding home on furlough, and if my hon. and gallant Friend desires I will send him a copy of the rules on this point. But for the reasons stated, there can be no comparison in this matter between officers of the British and Indian Services.
§ Colonel APPLINIs the Noble Lord aware that officers in the British Service in India include officers who have risen from the ranks or who have very small means, and cannot he grant them the same concession as is given to British officers in the Indian Army?
§ Earl WINTERTONNo, Sir, I am afraid my hon. and gallant Friend is not seized of the point. They are not serving under the same conditions as British officers of the Indian Army, who spend their whole lives in India. I see no reason to make the change suggested.