§ 2. Sir C. YATEasked the Secretary of State for India whether, despite his assurance that no further reductions would be made in the Indian Army 798 pending the inquiry into the military requirements of India by a Sub-committee of the Committee of Imperial Defence, the Indian cavalry are being reduced from 39 regiments of four squadrons each to 21 regiments of three squadrons each, and orders are now being issued for the disbandment of the 35th Sikhs, 42nd Deoli Regiment, 43rd Erinpura Regiment, 44th Merwara Regiment, the 108th Infantry, and other pre-War regiments of the Indian Army; and whether he will countermand the orders for these reductions pending the result of the inquiry by the Sub-committee?
§ Mr. MONTAGUAs regards the cavalry, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer given in this House to his question of 3rd May on the same subject. In the case of the 44th Merwara Infantry, I have nothing to add to the answer which I gave on May 10th. Of the other infantry battalions mentioned, two are still serving overseas and two in India. As I stated in replying to a question by my hon. and gallant Friend on April 6th, reductions of units no longer required will take place as opportunity offers, but no reductions which would bring the Indian Army below the proposed post-War strength of 21 Indian cavalry regiments and 132 infantry and pioneer battalions will take place pending consideration of the whole matter by the Sub-committee of the Committee of Imperial Defence. Which particular units should be disbanded on becoming surplus to requirements is a question which must be left to the Government of India.
§ Sir C. YATEDid not the right hon. Gentleman agree that no pre-War regiment should be disbanded until after the Committee had reported, and these are all pre-War regiments which are now being disbanded, much to the disappointment of the men in India?
§ Mr. MONTAGUIf my hon. and gallant Friend will refresh his memory, he will see that there is nothing inconsistent in anything which I have previously said with the answer that I have just given. The only regiment which I have described as being disbanded is the 44th Merwara Infantry. If he will refer to my answer of the 10th, he will find that explained.