§ 35. Sir J. D. REESasked the Secretary of State for War whether he can assure the House that no proposal for reducing the numbers of the European troops serving in India is under consideration?
§ Colonel SEELYNo such proposal has been received.
§ Sir J. D. REESCan the right hon. Gentleman answer the question? Can he say that no such proposal is under consideration?
§ Colonel SEELYWe are not in the habit of considering proposals which we have not yet received.
§ Sir J. D. REESIs it not true that a distinguished officer is now reporting to the Government upon the Indian Army, and is not the right hon. Gentleman's answer not practically an evasion of the question I asked?
§ Colonel SEELYNo, most certainly not. Lord Nicholson has a Committee which is inquiring into the whole matter. We have received no representation from him. We have not the least idea whether he will propose an increase or a reduction, or that things shall remain as they are. There is no question of evasion whatever. The question is altogether premature.
§ Sir J. D. REESWith apologies to the right hon. Gentleman in that respect, may I ask if the Government is prepared to favourably consider any reduction whatsoever in the European troops?
§ Colonel SEELYIt would be impossible to answer a question so obviously hypothetical in its character. We have not the least idea what Lord Nicholson will recommend, whether an increase or a reduction, or that things should remain as they are. It is impossible for me to say more, and I regret that the hon. Gentleman should have used the word "evasion."