§ 20. Mr. RENDALLasked the Secretary for War whether certain regiments of Regulars, namely, eight infantry, two cavalry, and a few batteries of artillery, in India when the War broke out, have been retained there till quite recently, partly to guard the frontiers and to train the Territorials; whether these regiments took part in several frontier engagements which may well have teen indirectly caused by the unrest produced by the War; whether these regiments have not received the 1914–15 Star given to the Territorials who went to India and were 226 there for nearly the whole period of the War, and who are now in addition receiving a special medal; why this distinction has been made; and will he consider treating the Regulars in India at least as generously in this matter as the Territorials they protected and taught?
§ Sir A. WILLIAMSONCertain Regular Units were retained in India when War broke out. They formed part of the Field Army on the Indian Frontier, and were employed on various frontier expeditions. With regard to the third part of the hon. Member's question, the conditions governing the award of the "1914–15 Star" are contained in Army Order 20 of 1919, and as will be seen from Appendix A, include certain frontier operations. This Star is awarded to those individuals, irrespective of whether they were Regular or Territorial soldiers, who complied with the conditions laid down, and no distinction has been made. I would point out that members of the Territorial Force who are eligible for the 1914 Star or the 1914–15 Star are not entitled to the special medal in addition.
§ Mr. RENDALLDoes the right hon. Gentleman defend an arrangement under which regulars who have been in India throughout the War, and who have been training Territorials who only took a small part in the War; regulars who were actually engaged in frontier fighting arising out the War, are to have no reward, medal or distinction of any kind?
§ Sir A. WILLIAMSONI should like to have notice of that question.
§ Mr. RENDALLFull notice of the point is given in my question. I want to know why these regular soldiers in India throughout the War, who have been doing work throughout the War, who have been engaged in various frontier attacks in the defence of India, and have been training Territorials, should have no distinction of any kind for all they have done?
§ Commander Viscount CURZONIs it a correct statement that the Territorials only played a small part in the War?
§ Mr. RENDALLCertain of them.
§ Sir A. WILLIAMSONI will represent the views which have been expressed.