HC Deb 09 February 1899 vol 66 cc335-6
SIR WILLIAM WEDDERBURN

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India, whether a Return can be presented at an early date of Indian Government troops employed outside of India, in Africa and beyond the North-West Frontier of Her Majesty's Indian possessions, together with copies of correspondence that has passed on this subject between the Indian Government and the India Office?

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA

On the 4th of August last, in reply to a question from the honourable Member for West Denbighshire, I stated that the only Indian forces now employed in Africa or elsewhere beyond seas were as follows:—In Africa, the 27th Bombay Infantry, and a wing of the 4th Bombay Infantry. In Mauritius, the 1st Bengal Infantry. As regards these troops, the only change that has taken place since then is that the wing of the 4th Bombay Infantry has returned to India. I also stated that I was not prepared to give a return in detail as to the strength of the forces, employed on the North-West Frontier in India; nor do I now think it expedient to do so, or to publish the correspondence which has passed on these subjects.

SIR W. WEDDERBURN

My Question referred to troops not on, but beyond the frontier.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA

The honourable Baronet is merely playing with words, because we deny that there are any troops beyond the Indian frontier.