§ Sir J. JARDINEasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that the Duke of Abercorn, as President of the Civilian Force, has published a letter proposing to enlist a complete company for special service, to be known as the Indian Service Force, and to be composed of those officers of the Indian Army, Indian Police, and other Indian services, who are now home on furlough; whether he has any information as to the business on which these officers are to be employed; and whether such officers may enlist in such company with the approval of His Majesty's Government?
§ Mr. KEATINGasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been directed to a published letter of His Grace the Duke of Abercorn, as President of a body calling itself the Civilian Force, in which he proposes to enlist a complete company for special service to be known as the Indian Service Force, and to be composed, amongst others, of officers of the Indian Army; whether he has any information of the business upon which these officers are to be employed; and whether he proposes to allow enlistment in such a force of officers holding the commissions of His Majesty the King, in view of the provisions of the Army Animal Act, the Army Regulations, and the various statutes and ordinances for the enforcement of discipline in the King's Army?
§ Mr. MONTAGUThe Secretary of State has seen the letter in the public Press. If, as he understands, the members of the proposed force are only to be employed on public duty after being sworn in as special constables and under the orders of the responsible police authorities, the Secretary of State sees no reason for intervening with regard to the recruitment of officers in the service of the Government of India. All questions as to the legality of the method of employment of the force must be decided by the Home Office, and the Secretary of State would be guided in dealing with Indian members of the force by their decision. I may perhaps add that the use of the name of Sir Theodore Morison in connection with the proposal was unauthorised and inaccurate.
§ Sir. J. JARDINEHas the hon. Gentleman seen the terms of recruitment in the office in Victoria Street, stating that this special force are to march on short notice—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member should give notice of that question.