§ Sir J. D. REESasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the trans- 666W fer list from the Regular to the Indian Army is finally closed to British officers; whether he is aware of the effect on those who have qualified by learning languages or otherwise for such transfer; whether the object is to enforce the decision to reduce the number of British officers in the Indian Army; and, if so, why the Indian service has been opened to Territorial officers just as it is closed to officers of the Regular Army; and whether the former are considered to be more fully qualified than the latter officers?
§ Mr. HAROLD BAKERNo change has been made in the Regulations which govern transfer from British units in India to the Indian Army. Such transfers have always depended on the occurrence of vacancies in excess of those required for officers of the unattached list. No such vacancies at present exist and transfers have for the time being ceased automatically. Should the vacancies in the future exceed the supply of officers on the unattached list, transfers will be resumed. Officers not in the Indian Army who have learnt Indian languages with a view to possible transfer to that service have always taken the risk that they may be unable to obtain transfer. It has not been decided to make any reduction in the number of British officers in the Indian Army. The Indian service has not been thrown open to Territorial officers. Misconception on that point may possibly have arisen from the fact that some of the university candidates who gain commissions on the unattached list by competition at the universities happen also to hold Territorial commissions.