§ 5. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that Lord Reading, in visiting the Benares Hindu University in December, 1921, announced the sanction of the Government for the formation of a university training corps; that subsequently the university authorities received orders to recruit only two platoons to start with: that these two platoons have been amalgamated with the 3rd United Provinces battalion and have excelled in battalion sports and other battalion competitions; that several hundreds of students have been waiting for the past three years to be admitted to the corps; and whether permission will be given to raise a battalion of the university training corps by the Benares Hindu University?
§ Earl WINTERTONSo far as I am aware, the facts are as stated. The question of increasing the strength of university training corps will arise in connection with the Report of the Indian Auxiliary and Territorral Forces Committee, which is now under my Noble Friend's consideration.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIn view of the discussion which took place on the Government of India (Indian Navy) Bill the other day, will the Noble Lord suggest to the Government that they might arrange for a larger increase in the number of cadet battalions?
§ Earl WINTERTONI do not think that is the point at issue. The matter is feeing considered by the Government of India as to whether there should be a total increase in the number of cadet corps. If there is presumably this particular cadet corps will have its proportional increase in common with other cadet corps, but the main question as to whether there should be an increase in the Auxiliary and Territorial force depends upon the size of the Army generally and other considerations.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODDoes the Noble Lord attach no special value to having an efficient cadet corps in connection with the Benares University?
§ Earl WINTERTONThat is quite a different question. I could not give any undertaking that any particular cadet corps should be increased in advance of the increase granted to cadet corps generally if there is a total increase.