HC Deb 08 November 1916 vol 87 cc230-1W
Sir CHARLES HUNTER

asked the Secretary for India if, under the Memorandum of 24th February, 1916, dealing with officers' pay and promotion, it would be possible to make the date retrospective to the commencement of the War instead of September 1915?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

The date 1st September, 1915, from which the rule regarding temporary promotion of lieutenants and captains of the Indian Army after six and sixteen years' service respectively has effect, was fixed in consultation with the War Office in order to protect officers in the Indian Army then serving from supersession by officers of the British service who by a special War Office measure were promoted from the 1st September, 1915. Before that date the justification for modifying the ordinary rules of promotion in the Indian Army had not arisen.