§ Mr. RAWLINSONasked the Under-Secretary for War whether his attention has been called to the reduced rate of pay of doctor of medicine officers of the Indian Medical Service who are now on active service with field ambulances; and whether he can see his way to raising their pay to the amount which they would receive if they were working for the Indian Medical Service in India during times of peace?
Mr. ROBERTSSubject to certain exceptions which are at present under discussion with the Government of India officers of the Indian Medical Service withdrawn from their ordinary duty for active service receive not less than the military pay and allowances ordinarily attached to their rank and position, and in some cases special higher rates provided for field service appointments. The Secretary of State recognises that the rules may sometimes entail loss of emoluments to Indian Medical Service officers withdrawn from civil appointments, but liability to recall to military duty is a well understood condition of civil employment in the case of the Indian Medical Service, and he sees no sufficient reason for modifying the rules.