HL Deb 06 December 1944 vol 134 cc189-90
LORD STRABOLGI

My Lords, I beg to ask the question standing in my name.

[The question was as follows:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they can state the approximate number of Indian sailors who participated in the marine operations for the invasion of Normandy, including members of the Mercantile Marine.]

THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA AND BURMA (THE EARL OF LISTOWEL)

My Lords, I am grateful to my noble friend for giving me this opportunity of paying a tribute to the fine valour of the Indian ratings during the course of the operations referred to in the question. The reply to the question is that 1,183 Indian ratings of the Merchant Navy took part in the operations for the invasion of Normandy. No members of the Royal India Navy were employed.

LORD STRABOLGI

In the commotion I did not understand whether the num bers referred to in the reply were members of the Royal Indian Navy or only of the Mercantile Marine.

THE EARL OF LISTOWEL

They were all in the Mercantile Marine. There were no members of the Royal Indian Navy.

LORD STRABOLGI

Would my noble friend be so good as to see that this information, which is most interesting and which I do not think the general public knows, is made widely known throughout the country? It is a remarkable thing to have this large number of Indian sailors serving in the great operation of the invasion of Normandy and the information should be widely known.

THE EARL OF LISTOWEL

That will depend a little upon the gentlemen of the Press.

LORD STRABOLGI

Is not my noble friend aware that the India Office has an immense Public Relations Department like every other Government Office, and that if it was put into operation it would no doubt be able to use its influence in getting this information widely known.

THE EARL OF LISTOWEL

We will do what we can.