§ Colonel ROUNDELLasked the Secretary of State for India whether officers of British and Indian military services serving in Mesopotamia and the Mesopotamian Expeditionary Forces in the capacity of political officers have been refused a war gratuity for such services; and, if this is so, what are the reasons for this differential treatment of officers of the Mesopotamia political services as compared with officers fulfilling similar functions in the occupied enemy territories administration (Palestine) under the Egyptian Expeditionary Forces, who have received their gratuity?
§ Mr. MONTAGUMilitary officers serving as political officers in Mesopotamia are remunerated from civil funds, and not from Army funds, as, I understand, is in general the case with political officers in Palestine. For the period during which they were in civil employ they are, therefore, ineligible for war gratuity under the rules laid down by the Army Council. The question will, however, be taken up with the War Office.