HC Deb 04 July 1911 vol 27 cc1099-100W
Colonel YATE

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the salt department is an Imperial and not a provincial one, the members of provincial services being liable to transfer only within the limits of the province to which they belong, while members of the salt department are liable to transfer over the whole of Northern India; and whether the Secretary of State will sanction a sufficient travelling allowance to enable them to move without serious loss?

Mr. MONTAGU

The liability to be transferred from one post to another within the provinces to which the operations of the Northern India Salt Department extend is an ordinary and well-understood condition of service in the Department. An officer so transferred is entitled to travelling allowance calculated in accordance with the regulations. The Secretary of State is not disposed to intervene in the matter, which is within the discretion of the Government of India.

Colonel YATE

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that the allowance for house rent to members of the salt department is only paid while the officer is actually living in his house, and is cut proportionately if he is absent only one day, and that an officer is absent under canvas for at least eight months of the year, but receives no house allowance during that period even if as a married man he has to maintain a house all the year round; and whether, seeing that the death-rate in the salt department is abnormally high, he will consider whether the consequent saving to Government in pensions might be utilised to improve the rates of pay of the junior grades in the Service?

Mr. MONTAGU

The house rent allowance granted to superintendents and assistant superintendents of the internal branch of the Northern India Salt Department is subject to a deduction of R.1 per day for every day for which they draw travelling allowance. The Secretary of State is unable to entertain the suggestion made in the latter part of the question. He is not aware that the death rate in the Salt Department is abnormally high.