Lieut.-Colonel BELLasked the Secretary of State for India if he is aware that in the recent reorganisation and revision of pay in the P.W.D. and Indian M.W. S., the upper subordinates of the M.W. S. have not been improved in status and pay in the same manner as those in the P.W.D., despite the fact that they hold the same qualifications, have passed from the same engineering colleges, and have hitherto served under the same Regulations; that this differentiation is very keenly felt by the military works subordinates, who have not only served in the field during the 59W late War, but have at the same time suffered disabilities and financial loss from the operations of civil Regulations in regard to their military services; and if he will reconsider the new Regulations by the operation of which these members of the M.W.S. are deprived of the benefits conferred on their civilian confréres of the P.W.D., in spite of the fact that, during the War, they have been a a disadvantage, compared with soldiers of corresponding standing in other branches and Departments, owing to the M.W.S. having been governed by civil Regulations?
§ Mr. MONTAGUNew rates of pay have now been sanctioned for upper subordinates of the Military Works Services. These rates are with effect from 1st July, 1919. I will ask the Government of India for a Report on the other aspects of the hon. and gallant Member's question.