§ 35. Mr. Whiteasked the Secretary of State for War whether, as a result of the recently announced cessation of stoppages of payment for kit, soldiers are now receiving full pay on and from their arrival in India?
The Under-Secretary of State for India (Lord Stanley)I have been asked to reply. I assume that the hon. Member is referring to additional articles of tropical clothing required by the soldier who is sent overseas. The recent decision was that, as from next trooping season, a free issue will be made of the third khaki drill suit, and helmet, which hitherto the soldier has paid for out of his clothing allowance. This concession 1008 applies to soldiers going to India. There are certain other small items, required by the soldier to complete his kit to the Indian scale, which at present he pays for by instalments from his clothing allowance. The question whether he should also be relieved of the cost of these items is under consideration.
§ Mr. WhiteIs the Noble Lord aware of the great dissatisfaction which exists on the part of men arriving in India who have very little pay to draw for the first six months and who are often reduced to a condition of very serious hardship; and would he look further into the matter?
Lord StanleyI think in many cases the hardship has been abolished altogether, and in other cases it is under consideration.
§ Mr. LawsonIs the Noble Lord aware that this change would be much appreciated by the soldiers; and will he recommend that free judgment should be exercised by the War Office in these matters as in the other matter of the Coronation parade?