§ 1. Colonel YATEasked the Secretary of State for India whether the Indian Army Order of November, 1913, by which Cavalry officers who had reached the age of forty-eight were debarred from promotion to the command of their regiments, has lately been altered so that officers who are now over forty-five years of age and under forty-eight, and are otherwise fit for command, are being passed over for promotion; if so, will he publish the Order on the subject; and, if not, will he see that the rights of these officers up to the age of forty-eight are maintained?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Mr. Chamberlain)The Indian Army Order of 15th December, 1913, has not been altered, but I believe that the practice in France is more rigorous than the terms of this Order.
§ Colonel YATEMay I ask whether the Indian rules apply to France in this respect?
§ Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe question of what officers are to be employed in France is a question for the Commander-in-Chief in France, and I cannot interfere with his discretion.
§ Colonel YATEDoes not the Government of India appoint the officers to command Indian regiments? Is the Commander-in-Chief in India to be entirely ignored?
§ Mr. CHAMBERLAINIf an officer is removed from his command in France, or if his services are placed at the disposal 1386 of the Government of India by the Commander-in-Chief and the War Office, I cannot reverse their decision.
§ Colonel YATEIf he is not removed, will the Indian officer be allowed to remain?
§ Mr. CHAMBERLAINCertainly, if he is not removed he will remain.