§ Sir N. MOOREasked the Secretary of State for India what statutory deductions are made from the pay of flying officers in regard to rent, lighting, etc.; what proportion this bears on the pay of pilot officers; and whether the system of making officers of the Royal Air Force pay for their issues of divisional brigade and other orders is in force?
§ Mr. MONTAGUMilitary officers in India, including officers of the Royal Air Force, when provided with Government quarters, pay an assessed rent to cover the cost of the quarters, subject to a maximum of 10 per cent. of their salary. The orders referred to in the second part of the question are issued on payment, but the cost is covered by the office allowance granted by Government to cover miscellaneous expenses.
§ Sir N. MOOREasked the Secretary of State for India whether, under the revised rates of pay approved for the Royal Air Force in India, flying officers have been reduced from Rs.725 to Rs.625, actually receiving Rs.100 a month less than they have been receiving hitherto; and, in view of the fact that the cost of living has in no way decreased, what would explain this sudden reduction?
§ Mr. MONTAGUIn 1916 a provisional scale for officers on aviation duties in India was introduced, with the concurrence of the War Office, which fixed the pay of all officers below the rank of Flight Commander who were engaged on flying duties at Rs.7257–825 per mensem, irrespective of rank. Under the new scale for officers of the Royal Air Force in India 671W recently promulgated the pay of such officers varies from Rs.525 per mensem to Rs.850 per mensem, according to rank. The new scale, which is based throughout on rank, must necessarily involve a reduction in the emoluments of some of the more junior officers, who have hitherto been fortunate enough to enjoy an advantageous flat rate. The new scale was fixed, after careful consideration, in consultation with the Air Ministry.