MR. H. ROBERTSI beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether he will lay before Parliament a statement showing what regiments and detachments 84 of the Indian Army are now employed in Africa or elsewhere outside Her Majesty's Indian possessions; also what Indian forces are now stationed beyond the borders of India in Waziristan, in the Zhob Valley, at Lundi Kotal, and in the garrisons along the road to Chitral; and whether he will include in such a Return copies of the references to the orders under which such employment of troops belonging to the military establishments of British India has been sanctioned, together with specific information as to the funds from which the charges of such troops are defrayed?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIAThe only Indian forces now employed in Africa or elsewhere beyond seas are as follows: In Africa, the 27th Bombay Infantry, and a wing of the 4th Bombay Infantry. In Mauritius, the 1st Bengal Infantry. The cost of these troops is entirely defrayed from non-Indian revenues. As regards the strength of the forces now stationed in Waziristan, in the Zhob Valley, at Lundi Kotal, and along the Chitral Road, I am not prepared to give a Return in detail, but it may perhaps be sufficient for the honourable Member's purpose to know that the troops which are stationed in those places are paid for from Indian revenues, and that they are so employed under orders from the Government of India, with the sanction of the Secretary of State for India in Council.