HC Deb 19 July 1915 vol 73 cc1147-8
9. Sir J. D. REES

asked the Secretary of State for India what are the Regulations regarding the admission of Eurasians or East Indians (now called Anglo-Indians) into Indian Volunteer Corps; and whether such persons, when Christians, are eligible in cases in which Hindus and Mahomedans are ineligible?

The SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Mr. Chamberlain)

Under the Regulations only Europeans, or persons of European descent, or naturalised British subjects, are eligible for admission to Indian Volunteer Corps, and their enrolment rests with the officer commanding the corps. There is no religious qualification or disqualification.

10. Sir J. D. REES

asked the Secretary of State for India whether action will be taken by the Government of India on the memorials received from chambers of commerce and European associations in time to allow the Indian empire to benefit by the patriotic feeling the War has elicited in actual and potential British Volunteers in India, who are anxious that the Force should be given a definite place in the Indian military organisation?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on the 5th inst. to my hon. Friend the Member for the Brentford Division of Middlesex. The Government of India have the memorial of the Bengal Chamber of Commerce suggesting the appointment of a Commission of Inquiry under their consideration.