HC Deb 20 December 1916 vol 88 cc1471-2
2. Colonel YATE

asked the Secretary of State for India how many representatives of the Indian Army were appointed to the Council of India when that Council was first constituted; and how many repre- sentatives of the Indian Army were serving on the Council of India in the years 1870, 1880, 1890, 1900, 1907, and 1914, respectively?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

The number of officers belonging to the Indian Army in the Council of India when the Council was first constituted was two; the number serving on the Council in the years mentioned in the question were:

In 1870 … … … … 2
1880 … … … … 5
1890 … … … … 3
1900 … … … … 2
1907 … … … … 3
1914 … … … … 2
These figures include appointments made in the year to vacancies occurring within the year. In many cases these officers had passed their service in civil employment, and were appointed to the Council on account of their civil qualifications.

Colonel YATE

Will my right hon. Friend continue the old rule of two officers specially appointed to the Council and does not the whole safety and welfare of India depend on the loyalty and efficiency of the Indian Army?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

I am the last man to underrate the importance to the Empire of the loyalty and efficiency of the Indian Army, but I do not think there is any such rule as my hon. and gallant Friend has spoken of. Take the case of the year in which there was the largest number of officers on the India Council—that is five. Only one of them had passed his life in the Army, and was appointed in his capacity as an officer of the Army. All the others had passed the major portion of their lives in civil employment, and were appointed as civilians.

Colonel YATE

As there is only one officer now on the Council, and he has been ten years away from active touch with the Army, will my right hon. Friend not have a fresh officer appointed specially to the India Council who can advise him regarding the Indian Army?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

No; the appointment of the gallant general to whom my hon. and learned Friend refers comes to an end in the course of a month or two, I am sorry to say, and a fresh appointment will then be made, but I have every confidence, and I think I have reason to have confidence, in my present military advisers inside and outside the Council.