§ 7. Lieut.- Colonel HOWARD-BURYasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that the police force in the Punjab has been recently reduced by 4,000; and whether this reduction was carried out with the advice and recommendation of the Inspector-General?
§ Earl WINTERTONI am not aware of such a reduction. There is no mention of it in the Debates on the last Budget in the Provincial Legislative Council. If my hon. Friend will provide me with materials, I will look into the matter further.
§ 8. Sir PERCY NEWSONasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that, at the recent ex-service competition for the Indian Police, out of the very large number of officers demobilised or retired since the Armistice only 10 were prepared to accept appointment to the police, and that one of these was palpably illiterate; and will he inquire into the reasons for such a shortage of suitable candidates?
§ Earl WINTERTONThe recent special ex-service competition for the Indian Police was open only to ex-commissioned officers of His Majesty's Forces or ex-permanent district inspectors of the Royal Irish Constabulary. Of the 595 candidates included in the final selection, all except one had actually held commissions during the War, and a certain number had held Regular commissions. All had distinguished records of service, and the 11 officers selected for appointment held between them, excluding mentions in despatches and foreign decorations, one D.S.O., seven M.Cs., one O.B.E., and one D.C.M. There is no foundation for the statement that any candidate has been appointed who was palpably illiterate. As I have already explained in answer to a question, the general educational standard required was not inferior to that normally required from competitors for the ordinary examinations.