§ 31 and 35. Mr. Thorneasked (1) the Secretary of State for India how many seamen have joined the British Mercantile Marine; and what has been the increase of the Indian Army since 1939;
(2) the Secretary of State for Burma how many Burmese have joined the British Mercantile Marine; and how many Burmese have joined the Indian Army since 1939?
§ Mr. AmeryThe number of Indian and Burmese seamen now serving on British foreign-going merchant ships is estimated to be approximately 30,000. Burmese seamen were not separately enumerated in the latest census of Indian and Burmese seamen which was made in 1938. Their number is, however, believed to be small. As regards the second part of each. Question it would not be in the public interest to give detailed figures. The strength of the Indian Army has, however, increased nearly sevenfold since 1939 Burmans are not enlisted in the Indian Army, but in the Burma Army, in which their numbers increased about threefold between the outbreak of war and the beginning of this year.