§ Major GLYNasked the Secretary of State for India what is the pay of a police constable in India; how does the rate of pay compare with that authorised in 1913 2564W and 1920; and what has been the estimated increase in the cost of living in India in that period?
§ Mr. BENNThe pay of police constables in India is fixed by the local governments and therefore varies in the different provinces. Ordinarily a time scale is in force, and in the years in question the monthly rates ranged between the following limits:—
City Police. District Police. 1913 Rs. 9–17 Rs. 7–18 1920 Rs. 13–17 Rs. 9–17 1930 Rs. 22–36 Rs. 13–25 No statistics exist for the whole of India, but an index figure prepared for Bombay shows the cost of living to have been 142 in March, 1930, as compared with 100 in 1914.
§ Major GLYNasked the Secretary of State for India what is the strength of the police forces in India at this date; how does this compare with 1913 and 1920; and in each case how many British were there employed as inspectors, commissioners, etc.?
§ Mr. BENNI would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer given on 12th May to the hon. and gallant Member for Wycombe (Sir A. Knox). The corresponding figures for 1913 are:
Civil Police (Sanctioned Strength): Officers 917 Other Ranks 195,387 Military Police (Sanctioned Strength): British Officers 91 Indian Officers 749 Other Ranks 25,467 I have no information as to the number of Europeans except in the commissioned grades.