HC Deb 13 July 1931 vol 255 cc9-10
11. Mr. BRACKEN

asked the Secretary of State for India whether in connection with the proposed cuts in the salaries of all officials in India, special consideration will be given to the rank and file of the Indian police, in view of their present low scale of pay?

Mr. BENN

The pay of the rank and file of the Indian police is a matter for the local Governments in India and is subject to the vote of the Provincial legislatures, but I have no doubt that local Governments, if they should decide to formulate schemes for reductions of pay, will not fail to give careful consideration to the position of the police.

Mr. BRACKEN

Will the Secretary of State use his great influence with the local legislatures in order that the pay of the police may be protected?

Mr. BENN

The Governments of the Provinces are as conscious as the hon. Member of the need for fairness in this matter, and I shall await their views before making any decision.

Mr. FREEMAN

Will the right hon. Gentleman also take into favourable consideration the low rate of wages of the other 350,000,000 people in India?