§ Major POLEasked the Secretary of State for India if he will make a statement in regard to the progress that has been made, following the adoption of the main recommendations of the Shea Committee, in the development of provincial and urban units of the Indian Territorial Force?
§ Mr. BENNThe following measures have been carried out:
- (i) University training corps units have been formed at Nagpur, Karachi and Dacca, and the Delhi company has been expanded into a battalion of two companies. One section of sappers and miners has been formed in the Burma (University Training Corps) Battalion.
- (ii) Urban units of two companies each have been constituted at Bombay, Madras and Allahabad, and the 11/2nd Bombay Pioneers (formerly a provincial battalion) has been converted into an urban battalion.
- (iii) Increased training has been carried out in four selected units, and officers of these units have been attached to regular units.
2242 - (iv) A permanent regular Indian staff has been provided for 15 out of the 18 provincial units.
- (v) The grant of higher grade commissions to selected officers will shortly commence.