§ 8 and 9. Lieut.-Colonel ARCHER-SHEEasked the Secretary of State for India (1) whether he has recently vetoed a Bill for the establishment of an Indian defence force; if so, if he will state his reasons for so doing, in view of the fact that the Government of India had themselves projected the measure;
(2) if he is aware that armed civilian forces were of great use in the Indian Mutiny in protecting numbers of women and children; and, in view of the present state of unrest in parts of India, he can say whether fresh legislation to train and arm European civilians in India for use in case of emergency will be suggested by him to the Government of India?
§ Mr. MONTAGUAs I have stated before, I did not sanction a Bill based on compulsion, but I have authorised a Bill on a voluntary basis. I share with the hon. Member of the desire to see an efficient Indian Defence Force, and I trust the Bill now to be introduced will secure it.
§ Lieut.-Colonel ARCHER-SHEECan the right hon. Gentleman say why he has vetoed this Bill, in view of the fact that the European community in India, the Chambers of Commerce in India, and the Government of India had all supported the Bill, and even put it forward?
§ Mr. MONTAGUThe objections of His Majesty's Government to compulsory military service are well known to the House, and the action they have taken in the Peace Conference was in pursuance of that objection. I quite agree with the hon. and gallant Member that the first necessity is to produce an adequate defence force in India, and if voluntary methods do not secure it, I shall have no hesitation in recommending to His Majesty's Government to take compulsory measures.
§ Colonel YATEConsidering that compulsory military service exists in Australia, why is there any reason that the right hon. Gentleman should prohibit the same in India?
§ Mr. MONTAGUI am not aware that compulsory military service exists in Australia.