asked the Under-Secretary of State for India what is the reason for Section (ii) of A.I.I. 139/42, as amended, excluding officers taken prisoner of war prior to 1st April, 1942, from the category of those receiving pay and allowances under Indian regulations; whether he is aware that this exception is resented by officers taken prisoner on the fall of Singapore; and will he annul the exception.

The Army Instruction to which my hon. Friend refers does not exclude from pay and allowances under India Regulations those officers who were otherwise entitled thereto and who were taken prisoner at Singaopre. If my hon. Friend has any individual case in mind, I shall be very glad to investigate it if he will send me the particulars.