§ 3. Sir A. KNOXasked the Secretary of State for India whether, in deciding for motives of economy to disband nine pioneer regiments, he will take into consideration the special hardship involved in the disbandment of the Hazara pioneers, the men of which are Persian-speaking Shiahs who have left their homes under the Suni Government of Afghanistan in order to serve the British Crown?
§ Sir S. HOAREYes, Sir; I have impressed on the Government of India the desirability of doing all they can to mitigate the hardship involved in the disbandment of these men, and am sure that they are fully alive to that aspect of the matter.
§ Sir A. KNOXCould not economies be effected in these new provincial administrations that it is proposed to set up rather than disband loyal regiments?
§ Sir S. HOAREI think everyone has been very sorry to see the disbandment of these units, but, unfortunately, as the result of military developments, they no longer have the military value that they have hitherto had, and on that account it has been necessary to disband them. Everything possible will, however, be done to find employment for the men.