§ 9. Major GLYNasked the Secretary of State for India whether the Army in India Committee has already caused to be put into operation an immense new scheme without public discussion, without counting the cost, without any reference to Parliament, or even without the publication of the views of the Government of India?
§ Mr. MONTAGUThe scheme referred to appears to be that for four commands instead of two in India and for the redistribution of subordinate commands and districts. The facts are that the complete scheme was placed before the Army in India Committee by the Government of 1155 India while the Committee was at Delhi, with a request that they would express an opinion upon it. The scheme has since been approved by the Government of India and by myself in Council after consultation with Lord Rawlinson and will shortly come into force. I understand that as a whole it does not involve extra expenditure.
§ Major GLYNWill the right hon. Gentleman consider whether it is not advisable to put Part 5 of the Committee's Report into operation as soon as possible?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSWill the right hon. Gentleman give an undertaking that the debatable parts of this Report, other than those already carried out, will not be carried out until the Report has been discussed in this House?
§ Mr. MONTAGUThe Report of the Army in India Committee is now under consideration by a committee of the Council of India. After that committee of the Council has concluded such consideration the Report will come before the Cabinet. After that I am sanguine enough to hope that the objects pursued by the Esher Committee, the improvement of the conditions of service in and the organisation of the Indian Army will be no longer debatable.
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSMy right hon. Friend knows what I mean by "debatable." The debatable point I mean is in relation to the General Staff. Will he give an undertaking that that shall not be carried out until it is debated? It is a vital alteration of the relations of the Indian Army.
§ Mr. MONTAGUThat question should be addressed to the Leader of the House. I will undertake that the deliberations of His Majesty's Government arising out of these reports will be published before any action is officially taken, and in sufficient time for this House to make an appeal to the Leader of the House for an opportunity to discuss the matter.
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThank you.
§ Colonel YATEIs not Part 5 of this report within the competence of the Government of India? Cannot that be carried out at once without waiting for Parliamentary sanction?
§ Mr. MONTAGUAs far as my recollection goes, Part 5 involves considerable expenditure of money and the various projects involved must be considered in the order of their importance as funds are available. I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that I am determined to carry out as quickly as possible any recommendations that will improve the conditions of service in the Indian Army.
§ 10. Major GLYNasked the Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been directed to the statement in the Report of the Army in India Committee to the effect that the centre of gravity of probable military operations has now shifted from the West to the East, and that in future we must contemplate the possibilities of our Armies operating in the Middle East, based partially on India and partially on Home; and whether the Government concur in that opinion?
§ Mr. MONTAGUThe statement referred to was not (as has been erroneously stated) the opinion of the Committee, but that of a minority of its members, and it has no direct bearing on the recommendation of the Committee as a whole. The Report is now under consideration by a committee of the Council of India.