5. Captain BROWNasked the Secretary of State for India whether he can give the names of the British regiments recently engaged on the Afghan frontier; and what is the total number of casualties amongst British units during these operations?
§ Mr. MONTAGUDown to the 8th July inclusive the following number of casualties in British units on the North-West Frontier have been reported:
| Killed and died of wounds: | |||
| Officers | … | … | 3 |
| Other ranks | … | … | 33 |
| Wounded: | |||
| Officers | … | … | 9 |
| Other ranks | … | … | 109 |
§ The Government of India, for military reasons, consider it undesirable at present to publish the names of the units engaged.
Captain BROWNDoes the right hon. Gentleman think that the Ameer of Afghanistan will learn of the smallness of our force if the numbers are published? In view of the fact that the British regiments are all 1914–15 men, surely something might be published?
§ Mr. MONTAGUI do not think it would be proper for me to express an opinion upon military matters. The question was put to the Government of India, and the Government of India, for military reasons, did not wish to publish the names, and it would be improper for a civilian to do so.
Captain BROWNCould not the right hon. Gentleman press the Government of 1782 India to that extent? It is a great hardship on these men, who have been kept in service—not unreasonably, I admit— that not a word is allowed to appear at home of what they are doing.
§ Mr. MONTAGUThe names will be published ultimately, but I hope the House will not press me to ask those responsible for military operations to do something which they regard as militarily unwise.