§ 8. Sir C. YATEasked the Secretary of State for India whether, considering that Sir Charles Monro, late Commander-in-Chief in India, in his despatch published in the "London Gazette" of 15th March, 1920, mentions that 340,000 men were at one time employed west of the Indus in repelling the Afghan invasion and the tribal risings on the North-West frontier of India in 1919, that peace has not yet been signed with Afghanistan, and the tribal risings still continue, it is still proposed to proceed with the reduction of the pre-War Indian cavalry by 93 squadrons, and also of various pre-War infantry regiments, as well as of all battalions raised during the War, especially after his assurance of the 23rd March, 1921, 1664 that no further reductions would be made pending the inquiry into the military requirements of India by a sub-committee of the Committee of Imperial Defence?
§ Mr. MONTAGUThe Commander-in-Chief has submitted and the Government of India have accepted proposals for the establishments and the numbers of units in each arm which are to be maintained in India. These proposals are based upon a detailed examination of what is required for the defence of India, and the resultant numbers are those given by me previously in this House, namely, 21 Indian cavalry regiments and 132 infantry and pioneer battalions. I can only once more assure my hon. and gallant Friend that no reductions will be made at present which would bring the number of units below these submitted by the Commander-in-Chief, and accepted by the Government of India in the circumstances described.
§ Sir C. YATEIf 340,000 men were required a couple of years ago to defend the Indian frontier, how is it safe now to reduce the Indian Army to something like 130,000 men?
§ Mr. MONTAGUI have given the figures often in answers in this House. As the hon. and gallant Gentleman well knows, the whole subject is about to be referred to the Committee of Imperial Defence, and until a decision varying the numbers is come to by the Committee they will stand.
§ Sir C. YATEWill the right hon. Gentleman stop the reduction of the Army at the present time which is doing so much harm throughout India—will he stop that pending the decision of the Conference?
§ Mr. MONTAGUI cannot stop decisions already accepted. These were accepted on the recommendation of the Commander-in-Chief, and will be maintained.
§ Sir C. YATEIs it not suicidal to reduce the Army to this extent?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat is entering into argument.