§ 33. Captain FULLERasked the Secretary of State for India why it has been decided to eliminate the Viceroy commissioned officer from Indianised units of the Indian Army, thus making it impossible for the rank and file to rise to commissioned rank?
§ Sir S. HOAREThe elimination of the Viceroy's commissioned officer follows from the original decision that in an Indianised unit it is not practicable to have more than one type of commissioned officer. My hon. and gallant Friend is, however, mistaken in assuming that this decision makes it impossible for the rank and file of the Indian Army to rise to commissioned rank. On the contrary, 30 vacancies a year at the Indian Military Academy are to be allotted to cadets from the ranks of the Indian Army.
§ Captain FULLERIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the elimination of this class of officer from any unit of the Indian Army, whether Indianised or not, will have a most disastrous effect on the efficiency of the Army as a whole?
§ Sir S. HOAREI hope that that is not the case.