§ Mr. BENNETT-GOLDNEYasked the Secretary for War whether, under the official scheme, as approved by Lord Kitchener, for the mobilisation of the present Army in India, there would be on mobilisation any shortage of fully trained British or Indian officers; and, if so, will he state what the estimated shortage would be in the two categories in the following ranks, namely, of second lieutenants, subalterns, captains, and officers of higher rank?
§ Mr. HAROLD BAKERIf the Army in India were fully mobilised there would be a shortage of 229 officers of the British Army. The shortage among British officers of the Indian Army would be 575, but against this last figure may be set off the forty-two officers of the Indian Eeserve, and 156 retired and unemployed officers, most of whom would probably be available. No estimate can be given as to how these shortages would be divided among the72W various ranks named since the officers would be required mainly to replace those taken from regiments to fill the additional staff, departmental and other extra-regimental posts which must be created on mobilisation and for which officers would be selected with reference rather to their personal qualifications than to their rank.