§ 1 and 2. Captain Macnamaraasked the Under-Secretary of State for India (1) whether four meals a day will now be given to soldiers in India;
584 (2) whether soldiers in India still pay money out of their own pockets in order that they may be provided with three meals a day?
§ The Under-Secretary of State for India (Mr. Butler)I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer I gave him on 9th November last in regard to the present position. As regards the future, it has been accepted in principle that the decision of His Majesty's Government that the State should bear the cost of a fourth meal for the soldier shall be applicable to British troops on the Indian Establishment. The exact method of giving effect to this decision under Indian conditions will be announced shortly.
§ Mr. George GriffithsIs it a fact that there are soldiers in India with 3½ years service, who have not any salary at all because they have been buying their own "chow"?
§ Mr. ButlerI am not aware of that.
§ Mr. GriffithsI got a letter to-day to that effect.