§ 82. Colonel YATEasked the Secretary of State, for India whether all the Indian troops who went overseas in 1914–15 have now been relieved and sent back to India; if not, how many of them are still detained in Egypt, Palestine, Turkey, and Mesopotamia, respectively; and what arrangements have been made for their return to India?
§ Sir A. WILLIAMSONMy right hon. Friend has asked me to reply. Without special reference to the various overseas forces, I regret it is impossible to answer the question in the case of individuals. It is to be remembered, however, that although in some cases units have been overseas since 1914–1915, there has been a constant turn-over of the individual men composing them. As regards units, all those which went overseas from India in 1914–1915 have been returned or are now en route to India, with the exception of the following: Egypt and Palestine.—Seven Indian cavalry regiments, all of which are being returned to India between now and the middle of January.
Mesopotamia.—Two battalions Indian infantry whom it is hoped to repatriate before March, 1921.