Sir SEYMOUR KINGasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether Army Order No. 281 of 1907 allows back service of British officers, under certain conditions, to count towards promotion in 1556W the British Army, viz., two years' commissioned service in full and half service in the ranks on active service; whether, so far as regards commissioned service, the rule has been admitted in the Indian Army, but as regards service in the ranks has been refused; whether the Secretary of State has directed or sanctioned this ruling; and, if so, on what ground; and whether the ruling can be revised?
§ Mr. BUCHANANArmy Order No. 281 of 1907 does not apply to the Indian Army. In answer to a question asked by the hon. Member on 1st June, 1908, the Secretary of State defined the concession made to officers now in the Indian Army regarding the counting of service rendered in South Africa before the attainment of a regular commission. He considers it to be an equitable adjustment of conflicting interests, and is no more prepared to extend its scope as suggested in the present question than to curtail it as suggested in the hon. Member's question of 11th November, 1908.