HC Deb 27 September 1944 vol 403 cc245-6
The Secretary of State for India (Mr. Amery)

With the permission of the House I should like to make a short statement on a matter connected with the welfare of British troops in the India Command. The Government of India have been, and are, making great efforts to improve and expand welfare arrangements for British troops in India. There is no doubt that a great deal more can be done if further supplies, equipment and personnel can be provided from outside India. Recent improvements in our general situation are now making this possible. In order to assure myself that everything possible will be done and that the further assistance which is now becoming available is applied to the most urgent needs, I have asked my Noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State for India to proceed to India to examine conditions on the spot, to consult with the Government of India, and to report to me personally. His visit will be of short duration and confined to the purpose I have described.

Mr. Bellenger

Has my right hon. Friend considered a suggestion which was made to him during the Debate on Indian Welfare which took place just before the House rose for the Summer Recess, namely, that independent Members of Parliament should proceed to India for the purpose of seeing what is happening out there? Many delegations have been out to the Colonies and the Dominions. Has he considered that?

Mr. Amery

Yes, Sir. I have carefully considered that suggestion but my anxiety is to get deficiencies remedied as rapidly as possible and, from that point of view, I feel that there will be great advantage in a report being made by someone who can follow it up at once in the India Office, and continue to follow it up.

Mr. Evelyn Walkden

Will the Minister consider sending to India General Sir Colin Jardine, Director of Army Welfare, who seems to have done an excel- lent job in the Middle East, in Italy and in the North West European theatre of operations? In view of the knowledge and experience of this man would not the Minister let him accompany the Under-Secretary?

Mr. Amery

Any decision as to Sir Colin Jardine is a matter for the War Office and must rest with my colleague my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War. Sir Colin was in India not so long ago.

Mr. Muff

Is it not a fact that Sir Colin Jardine returned from India four months ago? Will the right hon. Gentleman's Department be solely responsible for the welfare of these troops? I hope there will not be a shuttlecock and battledore affair between his Department and the War Office.

Mr. Amery

As I explained in the Debate not long ago, it is obvious that in a great many of these military matters there must be immediate contact and cooperation between the troops in India and the War Office. On the other hand, Parliamentary responsibility for the condition of troops in India, British and Indian, rests with the Secretary of State for India.

Mr. Muff

Is the right hon. Gentleman's Department responsible for finance?

Mr. Amery

Yes, that is to say the expenses of the troops in India are paid by the Government of India and to that extent I am responsible.

Mr. J. J. Lawson

Does the right hon. Gentleman expect an early report on this matter?

Mr. Amery

Yes, Sir, I hope that my Noble Friend will not be away in India for more than a few weeks and that I shall have his report immediately on his return and I will make use of it.

Mr. Astor

Will the report be made available to Members of the House?

Mr. Amery

I should not like to commit myself definitely as to whether the report itself will be made available, but in any case I hope to lay before the House, soon after my Noble Friend has reported, a full statement of all that has been, and is being, done by the Government of India in connection with welfare.