§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Clause stand part of the Bill."
§ 8.52 p.m.
§ Sir A. KNOXI should like to ask what this Clause means. It says that His Majesty is to have power to grant commissions in any naval, military or air forces raised in India to any person who might be or has been lawfully enlisted or enrolled in that force. That seems to be the natural prerogative of the Crown. Is there any hidden reason why the Clause is inserted?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Mr. Butler)The Clause has to be read with Clause 8, which says that the executive authority of the Federation;
does not extend to the enlistment or enrolment in any forces raised in India of any person unless he is either a subject of His Majesty or a native of India or of territories adjacent to India";This Clause relates to the Defence Services, and makes it clear that His Majesty can grant commissions in the Indian Forces to subjects of Indian States or natives of territories adjacent to India. Commissions can be given to such excellent members of the Indian Army as the Nepalese.
§ Sir A. KNOXIs it the object to grant commissions to members of the Army who have served in Indian regiments over the natives of India?
§ Mr. BUTLERThe hon. and gallant Member will remember that there are portions of His Majesty's forces in India which are recruited in territories adjacent to India. The most remarkable of these 298 come from the territories on the Nepalese border. This applies to such persons as are recruited in the forces in India.
§ Sir H. CROFTMy hon. and gallant Friend is inquiring whether a Nepalese officer could be granted a commission to command other Indians in other Indian regiments.
§ Sir A. KNOXWould a Gurkha officer be put in command of a Sikh regiment?
§ Mr. BUTLERThat is a question for the administration of the Indian Army, and I should not be in order in referring to it now. The Clause would enable Gurkhas to be given commissions in the Indian Army; and there are no more valuable members of the Indian Army.