HC Deb 17 February 1927 vol 202 cc1129-30W
Mr. MOSLEY

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Government will publish, as a White Paper, the correspondence between the Government of India and His Majesty's Government on the subject of the recent despatch of Indian troops to the Far East?

Earl WINTERTON

His Majesty's Government are of opinion that it would be premature to consider the publication of correspondence relating to the despatch of troops to the Far East.

Mr. MOSLEY

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the fact that, in relation to the resolution passed by the Indian Legislative Assembly governing the use of Indian troops outside India, Sir Godfrey Fell, on behalf of the Government of India, accepted the definition that the obligations resting on India should be no more onerous than those resting on the self-governing Dominions, and should be undertaken subject to the same obligations as are applicable to the Dominions, His Majesty's Government will withdraw their requirement that Indian troops should be despatched to Shanghai until all the self-governing Dominions are asked to send troops and consent to take such action; and whether, in view of the undertaking that any despatch of Indian troops shall be under similar conditions to the despatch of Dominion troops, the consent of the Indian Legislative Assembly will be asked before any such action is taken?

Earl WINTERTON

No undertaking was given on the part of the Government of India in respect of the resolution quoted, nor in any case can my noble Friend accept the implications which the hon. Member appears to read into its terms.

Mr. GROVES

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the provisional estimate of the total charge to the three Service Departments in respect of the despatch of troops to the Far East includes the cost incurred in transporting officers and men of the Indian Army?

Mr. RONALD McNEILL

No, Sir.

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