HC Deb 22 June 1925 vol 185 cc1057-8
1. Major HORE-BELISHA

(for Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY) asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Committee to report on the free admission of Indians to commissioned ranks in the Indian Army, promised by the late Commander-in-Chief and the Home Member of the Government of India, has yet been appointed; and if he can state the names of that Committee?

Earl WINTERTON

The hon. and gallant Member presumably refers to the undertaking given by the Government of India in March to consider the appointment of a Committee to examine the means of attracting the best qualified Indian youths to a military career, and of giving them a suitable military education. With my Noble Friend's concurrence, the Government of India have now decided to appoint such a Committee. The Chairman will be Lieut.-General Sir Andrew Skeen, the Chief of the General Staff in India. The Government of India are not yet in a position to announce further details; but the Committee will include non-official members, representing both the military classes of the population and Indian political opinion.