§ 6. Colonel YATEasked the Secretary of State for India whether, in the event of the responsible authorities in India persisting in their refusal to promote second in commands of Infantry regiments of the Indian Army, now serving at the front, to the post of commandant should they attain the age of fifty, and considering the fact that such second in commands, being unable while on service to leave their regiments, have to suffer real hardship by being compelled to serve on under junior officers, he will make arrangements with the War Office by which these well-trained and efficient Regular officers may be permitted to come home to take command of service battalions in the New Army, where their services will be of so much value?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Mr. Chamberlain)The rule to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers was found to be required by the conditions of modern warfare, and the experience of the present War has conclusively demonstrated its necessity. His suggestion for alleviating individual cases of exceptional hardship will, I have no doubt, be present to the mind of the Commander-in-Chief in the field and to the Secretary of State for War, though its practicability must naturally depend on a variety of circumstances.
§ Colonel YATECannot the right hon. Gentleman have these second in commands sent home and given appointments with the service battalions at home?
§ Mr. CHAMBERLAINI do not think that is a matter for me. I must leave that to my Noble Friend the Secretary of State for War on any representations which are made to him by the Commander-in-Chief in the field.