§ 95. Mr. NEVILLEasked the Secretary of State for India how many captains and majors have, since 4th August, 1914, been brought into the Indian Army from the English Regular and Territorial Armies, respectively, and how many of such captains have had nine years and how many 1774 of such majors have had eighteen years' previous service in the English Regular or Territorial Armies; if not, what is the average number of years' service of such captains and majors, respectively; whether any and, if so, how many of such officers so brought in have been previously certified as proficient or were in fact previously proficient in the native languages of the regiments to which they were brought in; and what steps have been taken to ensure that captains and majors brought in to the Indian Army since 4th August, 1914, from outside are proficient in the native languages of the troops which they have to command as captains or majors, respectively?
§ Mr. TENNANTMy right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. In the period mentioned, no majors and only four captains have been transferred from the British Regular Army to the Indian Army, and none from the Territorial Force. The four captains were transferred for duty in the Indian Supply and Transport Corps, in which they had completed the prescribed probationary service. Three had more than eleven years' service and one more than twelve, and all had passed the higher standard examination in Hindustani.