§ Sir H. NIELDasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the fact that the Indian Army is not getting as many officers as it requires to maintain the establishment, he will say why applicants who have served as officers in that Army and have desired to be reinstated after temporary absence have been informed that their applications cannot be entertained; and 256W whether, in order to meet the admitted shortage, these officers will be permitted, upon repayment of the gratuity paid on retirement or upon some other like terms, to be restored to the service?
§ Earl WINTERTONIt has been the general policy of the Government of India to refuse reinstatement to officers of the Indian Army who retired under the Surplus Officers' Scheme, and my Noble Friend considers that this policy has been in the best interests of the Indian Army. But the Government of India have recently been given an opportunity of reconsidering their policy.