§ 65. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Under-Secretary of State for India how many troops raised in India are serving outside India; and the countries or territories in which these trops are serving, without stating the numbers of troops in the several countries or territories?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Earl Winterton)Excluding Aden, there are at present Indian troops serving at the expense of His Majesty's Government in South China, the Malay States, and Iraq. I have not the exact strength of the units so employed; but the total number is approximately 4,000.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYWhen the Noble Lord says "at the expense of His Majesty's Government," I presume that means the whole of the troops serving outside India, because there are no Imperial Service troops outside India?
§ Earl WINTERTONIt does not mean the whole of the troops outside India. It excludes troops at Aden, where they serve at the expense of the Indian Government. The figures I have given are as to the whole of the Indian troops serving outside India at the expense of His Majesty's Government. Imperial Service troops do not serve outside India except in time of war.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYWith the exception of Aden, are any Indian troops serving outside India at the expense of any local Government?
§ Earl WINTERTONI do not think so, but I should like to have notice of that question. That is not the question on the Paper, but, so far I know, there is none, and never has been.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYWith great respect, is the Noble Lord aware that the question I put on the Paper, which was a military question and addressed to the Secretary of State for War, was in regard to the total number of Indian troops serving outside India?
§ Earl WINTERTONThat is exactly the answer I have given. I will read it out again, if the hon. and gallant Member is not satisfied.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYI think I caught the answer.