§ 49. Mr. MILLSasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that the Esher Committee on the Indian Army recommended that the Army in India should be entirely under the control, real as well as nominal, of the Government of India, and should be free from any domination or interference by the War Office on matters of military policy, organisation, or administration, and that such co-ordination as may he desirable between the military policies or organisations of different parts of the Empire should he secured by discussion and agreement at conferences at which India is adequately represented; and whether this recommendation has been accepted and acted on by His Majesty's Government?
§ Mr. RICHARDSHis Majesty's Government, realising the importance of maintaining the responsibility and control of the Government of India, have decided that the Government of India must be responsible for all questions of military policy, organisation and administration of the Army in India, subject to the control of the Secretary of State for India, as provided for in the Government of India Act. On all discussions on questions of military policy and organisation India is adequately represented.
§ Earl WINTERTONDoes the hon. Gentleman suggest by his answer that this policy was not carried out by previous Governments; and has not the policy which he has stated in his answer invariably been the policy of successive Governments in this country?
§ Mr. RICHARDSThere is no suggestion of the kind to which the Noble Lord refers.
§ Earl WINTERTONDid I not under stand the hon. Gentleman to suggest that there is a new departure in policy?