Sir J. D. REESasked the Secretary of State for India if he will state, in view of his statement of 16th February, and of the terms of Indian Army Order 539, of 1914, wherein it is stated that Indian Army Reserve officers commissioned under this Order are entitled to the same privileges as regular officers of the Indian Army, and in view of the fact that Regular officers of the Indian Army commissioned since the 4th August, 1914, have been and are being granted periods of leave averaging six months (as stated by the Secretary of State), why officers of the Indian Army Reserve commissioned under the above Order are refused any kind of leave in respect of War services prior to demobilisation; upon what authority such leave is refused; and whether he will give instructions that such officers of the Indian Army Reserve as have been, or are about to be, demobilised, and who apply for it shall be granted such leave?
§ Mr. MONTAGUOfficers of the Indian Army Reserve have not been denied any of the privileges of regular officers of the Indian Army as they existed in 1914. They have enjoyed various privileges at-412W taching to their temporary status for which regular officers of the Indian Army have not been eligible. They have drawn gratuities at the rates laid down for temporary officers, which are greatly in excess of those admissible to regular officers. The question raised in regard to after-war leave, which was intended only for permanent officers, is being further examined, but I do not anticipate that it will be found possible to treat officers of the Indian Army Reserve in this respect differently from all other temporary officers of the British and Indian services.