SIR MANCHERJEE BHOWNAG-GREE (Bethnal Green, N.E.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India if a scheme of reorganisation of the police force in India as an armed force has been adopted; and, if so, will he state whether this is the result of a recommendation by the Police Commission or by the military authorities; also what number of men are to be so armed, and whether they will have to undergo any special training; and what is the estimate of the additional cost of such reorganisation; and further, whether his sanction has been given to the scheme, and if he will lay upon the Table of the House all Papers and correspondence between himself and the Government of India bearing on this subject.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Mr. BRODRICK, Surrey, Guildford)No new principle affecting the training of the police force in India in the use of arms has been adopted in 1373 the reorganisation of the force; but principles laid down in 1860 and 1889 have now been reaffirmed as a result of the inquiries made by the Commission. The military authorities have of course been consulted. The exact additional cost of the reorganisation has not yet been reported to me. I hope shortly to receive from the Government of India Papers which will include a full summary of the decisions arrived at after correspondence. I propose to lay this summary with the Report on the Table.