§ Colonel YATEasked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that officers of the Indian Army permitted under the Indian Army Regulations to reside in England applied, on the outbreak of war, to the India Office for employment but were refused; whether he is aware that these officers, on attaining the age of fifty-seven in the case of colonels and sixty-two in the case of major-generals, should, under Indian Army Regulations, be transferred to the unemployed supernumerary list, from which the Indian Government has the power, under the same Regulations, to recall them should their services be required; whether the India Office have delayed placing these officers on the unemployed supernumerary list with the object that small sums may be cut from the Indian pay of those officers who have accepted other employment in England on the plea that they are still on the active list; and, if so, whether steps will be taken to put the officers concerned on the unemployed supernumerary list on the regular dates and to see that their rights to full Indian pay. are not infringed?
Mr. ROBERTSSince the War began every effort possible has been made to re-employ officers of the Indian Army residing by permission out of India under the Indian Army Regulations, but many were senior lieut.-colonels or colonels for whom employment suitable to their rank and years could not be found. With regard to the rest of the question, no officers can claim to be put on the unemployed supernumerary list on a particular date, as the right of the Secretary of State to postpone such transfers is reserved in the 413W Royal Warrant establishing the list. During the War retirements from the Army are not allowed, and as a natural sequel transfers to the unemployed supernumerary list have been suspended.