§ 1. Major-General Sir ALFRED KNOXasked the Secretary of State for India if he will take steps to remedy the present system of divided command between the military and Air Force on the North-West Frontier of India?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Mr. Wedgwood Benn)On 11th January the Government of India announced the appointment of a Committee to consider the system of tribal control and defence against tribal incursions on the North-West Frontier. The terms of reference of the Committee include the question whether any departure from existing arrangements in respect of the strength, disposition, organisation, co-ordination and mutual relations of the Royal Air Force, the Regular troops and the armed civil forces on the North-West Frontier is advisable in order to increase efficiency and promote economy.
§ 2. Sir A. KNOXasked the Secretary of State for India if he will state the total cost of the bombs thrown by air units on the North-West Frontier of India 1404 in the six months April-September, 1930; and to what Vote this sum was allotted?
§ Mr. BENNIt is estimated that the cost of such munitions expended by the Royal Air Force during the period of active operations between May and October last was in the neighbourhood of £160,000. The expenditure involved is debitable to Military Estimates, Part C, Royal Air Force.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the last military expedition in the old style cost over £20,000,000?
§ Colonel HOWARD-BURYIs it not rather unfair to debit the expenditure in this way, to take it from moneys payable in respect of other military services, and not have a separate account for these operations altogether?