2. Sir Nairne Stewart Sandemanasked the Under-Secretary of State for India what reduction there has been in the Indian Army Estimates; and on what Departments, if any, these reductions are to fall?
§ Mr. ButlerThere has been no reduction in the Indian Defence Service estimates as a whole. The net estimate for 1936–37, which included the cost of troops in Burma, was 45.45 crores. The corresponding figures for 1937–38 are India, 44.62 crores, and Burma, 1.26 crores, a total of 45.88 crores. I have not yet received details of the estimates, but copies will be placed in the Library of the House in due course.
Sir N. Stewart SandemanCan we be assured that there has been no reduction in the money spent on equipment in the Indian Army?
§ Mr. ButlerThe total expenditure, as I informed the hon. Member, is slightly larger. There have been certain economies under individual heads.