HC Deb 01 July 1947 vol 439 cc1135-6
46. Brigadier Low

asked the Prime Minister what is the strength of the staff of the High Commissioner for the United Kingdom in India; what strength will it be by mid-August; and when offices will be opened in places other than New Delhi.

The Prime Minister

Excluding locally engaged Indian staff, the present strength is 54. Urgent steps are being taken to expand the High Commissioner's organisation, and it is expected that the strength will have risen to at least 76 by mid-August. The aim is to open most of the offices in places other than New Delhi by the end of August.

Brigadier Low

Will not the Prime Minister agree that it is of the utmost importance to the relationship between this country and India in the future that these offices should be opened all over India as quickly as possible?

The Prime Minister

Yes, I entirely agree. I am having reports every week or fortnight sent to me in regard to this matter.

Mr. Godfrey Nicholson

How many of the 54 may be described as of executive rank?

The Prime Minister

The present staff includes nine administrative officers, 25 subordinate officers from the United Kingdom, and 20 locally recruited Indian officers in subordinate grades.