§ 8. Sir C. YATEasked the Secretary of State for India what is the total number of cavalry regiments maintained by the various Powers in Europe, with the exception of Russia; and how does this number compare with the eight regiments of British cavalry and the 21 regiments of Indian cavalry of three squadrons each to which the Army in India is to be reduced, considering that India has practically the same area, the same population, and the same diversity of race and language as the whole of Europe without Russia?
§ Mr. MONTAGUI have not the information upon which to base a comparison, nor does it seem to me worth while to obtain material with which to weigh together incomparable matters.
§ Sir C. YATEDoes the right hon. Gentleman not think it is absolutely impossible to hold an enormous country like India with 29 cavalry regiments?
§ Mr. MONTAGUIt does not seem to me that you can measure the military force necessary in one country by comparison with another country.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODAre we holding India with the Army?
§ Mr. MONTAGUNo.
§ 9. Sir C. YATEasked the Secretary of State for India whether the successful candidates at the competitive examination held in November, 1916, for admission to the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, and the Military College, Quetta, with a view to appointment to the Indian Army, and who are holding permanent commissions in the Indian Army, are now to be dismissed 6 owing to the reductions in the Indian Army; and, if so, what compensation is to be given them to enable them to start on a new career?
§ Mr. MONTAGUI have received no proposals for the dismissal of these officers.