LORD RAGLANMy Lords, I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the possibility of giving officers of the British Army who have reason to be dissatisfied with the conditions of service in India the option of serving elsewhere? There is only one fact to which I wish to direct the attention of your Lordships, and it is this. The British Government, rightly or wrongly, have decided to give certain allowances to married officers. The Indian Government, rightly or wrongly, have decided not to give those allowances. What that means is that the British Government says, in effect, to these officers: "We think you ought to have 35s. a day and that is what we shall pay you; but whenever it suits us we shall compel you to serve the Indian Government for 32s. a day."
The noble Viscount the Secretary of State for India has informed your Lordships that the whole question of pay of the Army in India will be considered next year, and it is possible that these allowances may be increased. But, judging from the state of the Indian finances at the moment and the Report of Lord Inchcape's Committee, it is more likely that they will not be increased. The question which I venture to ask His Majesty's Government is whether the British Government is justified in placing upon the shoulders of the Indian Government 825 the entire responsibility in this matter and in compelling its employees to serve that Government for less than they would receive if they were serving their own Government.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (THE EARL OF DERBY)My Lords, the answer that I have to make to the Question on the Paper is that I am unable to accede to the request.