§ SIR MANCHERJEE BHOWNAGGREE (Bethnal Green, N.E.)To ask the Secretary of State for India whether he and his Council have been consulted with reference to the scheme of maintaining a reserve of 25,000 troops in South Africa; whether they have unanimously agreed to the payment of a contribution by India towards the expenses of that force; and if he will place upon the Table of the House the Minutes of the Council as well as copy of the correspondence addressed to the Government of India on the subject.
(Answered by Secretary Lord George. Hamilton.) The scheme of maintaining a reserve of 25,000 troops in South Africa is a matter for the consideration of His Majesty's Government; but, in so far as it is further proposed that India shall have a first claim on the services of half that reserve in return for a contribution of £400,000 a year, I have considered the matter in Council, and have consulted the Government of India. Their reply has not yet been received, and I shall, of course, await it before coming to any final decision on the subject. I 1434 cannot at present give any undertaking as to the presentation of Papers.