§ Mr. GWYNNEasked the Secretary of State for India whether, in reviewing the rates of half-pay for officers in the Indian Army who have rendered satisfactory paid military service during the War, he will take into consideration the climatic conditions of India and recommend that under these circumstances the rates of half-pay should be framed on a higher basis than that laid down for the British Army, and that 12 years' service in the Indian Army should be counted as equivalent to 15 years' service in the British Army for this purpose?
§ Mr. MONTAGUThere are two classes of officers to whom the question applies. Officers who on becoming unemployed would be placed on half-pay under British rules will under the new Indian rules be granted a rate of unemployed pay made up of the War Office rate of half-pay plus an addition in respect of Indian service. But I presume the hon. Member has in mind the case of officers invalided from the Indian Army. These receive invalid pensions which correspond to half-pay under British rules. I am now awaiting the issue of a Royal Warrant, which is expected very shortly, governing similar cases of retirement under British rules, before I finally decide the new rates of invalid pensions under Indian rules. In arriving at that decision I will consider the hon. Member's suggestion.