§ 18. Mr. COTTONasked the Secretary of State for India if he can state how many commissions in His Majesty's Army have been granted up to the present to Indians; whether it is proposed to add to the number, and, if so, when and to what extent; what are the names of the recipients and the class and provinces to which they belong; and what are the conditions as to training which have been decided upon?
§ Mr. MONTAGUI presume that my hon. Friend refers to the scheme for the grant of King's commissions to Indians which the Government of India announced in July last. The first avenue to such commissions is through distinguished service in the War. I understand that with a view to selection inquiries are being made from the various theatres of war in which Indian troops have been or are being employed, but recommendations have not yet reached me. In other cases the award of commissions will depend on the results of probationary training. The Government of India are engaged in selecting candidates for ten cadetships at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, and are nominating probationers for admission to 413 the special military college which they have established in India for training for temporary commissions. So far some forty-four probationers have been nominated.
§ Sir J. D. REESIs it not intended that this concession shall be of a wider character than is indicated by the number of forty-four, which would not amount to very much spread over the whole of India?
§ Mr. MONTAGUThat only applies to temporary commissions from among those who have not been in the Army. I have not the figures yet about the recommendations from among those who have been in the Army.