§ 76. Mr. W. J. BROWNasked the Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been drawn to the speech of General Sir Philip Chetwode at the Wiltshire county rally of the British Legion at Devizes recently; and whether, in view of the character of the policy he advocated in regard to India it is still intended that General Chetwode should proceed to India as Commander-in-Chief?
§ Mr. BENNSir Philip Chetwode is not at present on the Indian Establishment and it is not necessary, therefore, for me to make any comment on the Press report referred to. Questions of policy are, of course, decided by His Majesty's Government and the Governor-General in Council, to whose superintendence, direction and control Sir Philip Chetwode, when he takes up his position as Commander-in-Chief, will become subject. The policy which it is intended to pursue in India was authoritatively set out by the Viceroy in his Speech to the Legislature on the 9th July
§ Captain CAZALETIs it not a fact that some of the reports have given a totally false impression of what Sir Philip Chetwode said?
§ Mr. BENNThe hon. and gallant Gentleman is asking me to commit the indiscretion of commenting upon matters which are not within my sphere.
§ Mr. THURTLEDoes not the right hon. Gentleman recognise that in putting any policy into operation it is necessary to have people who are sympathetic towards that policy?
§ Mr. BENNQuestions of policy have nothing whatever to do with soldiers. They are settled by the civil government.
§ Brigadier-General BROWNIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that Sir Philip Chetwode said nothing about policy and that his whole object was to—