§ 60. Colonel HOWARD-BURYasked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that the second battalion, Essex Regiment, who have been on active service on the Kajuri Plain since last autumn, have been officially informed that the frontier medal cannot be given them as the Government could not afford it; and whether he will look into this matter?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Mr. Wedgwood Benn)I have no such information. I should be grateful if the hon. and gallant Gentleman would furnish me with the facts on which his question is based.
§ Colonel HOWARD-BURYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this battalion has suffered many casualties and that this information was given by the Commander-in-Chief?
§ Mr. BENNThere is no question as to the gallant behaviour of this battalion. The question is as to the accuracy of the statements made by the hon. and gallant Member in the question, and, if he will give me particulars, I wall, of course, investigate them.
§ Colonel HOWARD-BURYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that when the Commander-in-Chief recently inspected the battalion he said that they were an excellent battalion, but that the Government of India could not afford to give them a medal at present?
§ Mr. BENNThat is what I am asking the hon. and gallant Member to substantiate. If he can give me an authorised report of that, I will have it investigated.