§ 11. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Secretary of State for India what are now the 1430 regulations as to Indian citizens obtaining the King's commission in the Indian Army?
§ Mr. MONTAGUThe King's Commission will be granted to Indians under four categories:
- (1) A certain number of substantive King's commissions in the Indian Army to selected Indian officers who have specially distinguished themselves in the present War.
- (2) A certain number of King's commissions conferring honorary rank in the Indian Army to selected Indian officers who have rendered distinguished service not necessarily during the present War, and who, owing to age or lack of educational qualifications are not eligible for substantive King's commissions. Such honorary commissions will carry with them special advantages in respect of pay and pension.
- (3) A certain number of temporary but substantive King's commissions in the Indian Army to selected candidates nominated partly from civil life and partly from Army.
- (4) A certain number of King's commissions to Indians on qualifying as cadets at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. For this purpose ten Indian gentlemen will be nominated annually during the War for cadetships.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODDoes that answer mean that Indian students in this country will be able to get temporary commissions, or will they be debarred unless they go to Sandhurst—under the third head?
§ Mr. MONTAGUUnder the third head they will be nominated in India.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODEven if they have obtained the qualifications in this country by being at Oxford or Cambridge they will be eligible for commissions?
§ Mr. MONTAGUNo commissions will be given without adequate training.
§ Mr. C. ROBERTSIs there any provision for the military training of these officers, or candidates for that rank, in India as well as in England?
§ Mr. MONTAGUYes, Sir. No substantive commissions will be granted to anybody without adequate training. It is intended to provide that adequate training under Category 3 in India.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIs it impossible for Indians to get into officers' training schools in this country?
§ Mr. MONTAGUI would rather not go into the details of the Regulations in answer to questions because I have not them before me, but I will lay the Regulations in due course upon the Table of the House.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODThen we may-take it that this decision is a victory for those who consider that Indians are not fit to go into officers training schools in this country?
§ Mr. MONTAGUNo, I think the answer I have given shows that commissions are going to be given to efficient soldiers, subject to His Majesty's approval.