§ 2. Mr. WARDLAW-MILNEasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Royal Indian Navy is in the meantime to be entirely controlled by British officers; what proportion of commissions is to be held by Indians in the future; what measure will be taken 2 to train them for such appointments; and what the total cost of the Navy is estimated to be, as compared with the cost of the present Royal Indian Marine?
§ 26. Mr. WINDSORasked the Under-Secretary of State for India what percentage of the commissioned ranks in the Indian Navy it is proposed to allocate to Indians?
§ 103. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state what arrangements are to be made to train natives of India for commissions in the Royal Indian Navy?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Earl Winterton)The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. It is proposed that approximately one in every three future vacancies shall be reserved for Indians provided that suitably qualified candidates are forthcoming. Detailed proposals for training are contained in a Report which has been published in India and of which I will shortly have a copy placed in the Library. These proposals will receive further consideration. Under the financial proposals contained in the Report, the annual cost of the Royal Indian Navy is not likely to exceed greatly the corresponding cost of the Royal Indian Marine.
§ Mr. WARDLAW - MILNECan the Noble Lord say if the training to which he refers will be actual training at sea?
§ Earl WINTERTONI prefer to see the Report, which has not yet come from India, before answering definitely. I am under the impression that it will include training at sea.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYwhat reason is there why the sons of Indian gentlemen should not be sent straight to Dartmouth—or a certain number of them—if they are able to pass the necessary examinations?
§ Earl WINTERTONBecause this proposal is for the formation of a separate Indian Navy, and therefore a scheme will be put into operation for the training of these men in India.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs not the Noble Lord aware that when the Dominion Navies were formed, King's cadetships were given to the sons of gentlemen in the Dominions, who formed a nucleus for officers for those Navies? Why should not that principle apply in this case?
§ Earl WINTERTONI think the hon. and gallant Gentleman must have overlooked the fact that Australia has its own training scheme.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYI refer to what happened long before that period.
§ 25. Mr. WINDSORasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the opinion of the Legislative Assembly has been sought or obtained on the question of the Indian Navy?
§ Earl WINTERTONThe recent publication of the scheme for a Royal Indian Navy will give the opportunity, which has not so far occurred, for eliciting the views of the Legislative Assembly, which will in due course be required to consider legislation on the subject.
§ 38. Mr. THURTLEasked the Under-Secretary of State for India the estimated charge upon the Indian revenue involved in the maintenance of the Royal Indian Navy for the first year that unit is in existence?
§ Earl WINTERTONIf the recommendations of the Committee which examined this question in India are approved, the net cost of the Royal Indian Navy will be Rs.68,60,000.
§ Mr. THURTLECan the Noble Lord tell me what that is in sterling?
§ Earl WINTERTONI should have to make rather a rapid sum in my head, but the hon. Member may take the value of a lakh of rupees at about £7,000. If he will give me some time, I will see what I can do.
§ 40. Colonel APPLINasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the number of Anglo-Indians already serving in the mercantile marine afloat, their claims to serve in the proposed Indian Imperial Navy will receive favourable consideration?
§ Earl WINTERTONAll classes will receive consideration, and due weight will be given to previous nautical experience.