§ 27. Major Milnerasked the Secretary of State for India the number of Indians recruited into the Indian Army during the first year of the war; how the number was made up; and what was the normal intake in peace-time?
§ The Secretary of State for India (Mr. Amery)Between the outbreak of war and 30th September, 1940, 90,882 Indians and 3,346 Gurkhas were recruited. The normal annual intake before the war was in the neighbourhood of 25,000 to 30,000 men. The figures for recruitment by classes asked for in the second part of the Question are not available.
§ Major MilnerHaving regard to the willingness of the people to volunteer, is 790 not that an indication of great neglect on the part of whoever is responsible for only an additional intake of some 20,000 to 30,000 in the year. Who is responsible? Is it the Indian Government or the right hon. Gentleman?
§ Major MilnerIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that a great deal of training could have been done without equipment for at least a year, and has there, therefore, not been great neglect on the part of whoever is responsible; and who is responsible?
§ Major MilnerWill the right hon. Gentleman say whether he or the Government of India is responsible for the sad state of recruiting in the early days of the war? Who bears the responsibility? Will he tell the House?
§ Mr. AmeryIt is primarily the Government of India, but the Government of India has to look to this country very largely for the provision of equipment and also for requisitions for Forces overseas.
§ Mr. ShinwellIs it not a serious indictment of those who are responsible that in the third year of the war we cannot recruit more men in India because of inadequate equipment; and surely that is a very serious matter?
§ Mr. ThorneShould not the Indians themselves be allowed to make more equipment? They have the material, surely?
§ Major MilnerHas not that also been neglected by the Government?
§ Mr. GallacherSee what your policy has done for India now.