z:\ ambedkar\vol 08\vol8 03.indd MK SJ+YS 28 9 2013 83
PAKISTAN : WEAKENING OF THE DEFENCES
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Q. 1360: Mr.Badri Dutt Pande (on behalf of Mr. Amarendra Nath Chattopadhya).
(a) x x x x
(b) x x x x
(c) x x x x
(d) How many Indians have been recruited during 1937 and 1938 as soldiers and officers during 1937-38 for the Infantry and Cavalry respectively? Amongst the soldiers and officers recruited, how many are Punjabi Sikhs, Pathans, Garhwalis, Mahrattas, Madrasis, Biharis, Bengalis and Hindustanis of the United Provinces and Gurkhas ?
(e) If none but the Punjabi Sikhs, Pathans and Garhwalis have been recruited, is it in contemplation of the Honourable Member to recruit from all the Provinces for the defence of India and give them proper military training ?
(f) Will the Defence Secretary be pleased to state if Provincial Governments will be asked to raise Provincial Regiments, trained and fully mechanised, for the defence of India? If not, what is his plan of raising an efficient army for the defence of India ?
Mr. C.M.G. Ogilvie :
(a) The Honourable Member will appreciate that it is not in the public interest to disclose the details of such arrangements.
(b) 5 cadets and 33 Indian apprentices were recruited for the Indian Air Force during 1937-38.
(c) During 1937-38, 5 Indians have already been recruited to commissioned ranks in the Royal Indian Navy, 4 will be taken by competitive examination in October
1938, and 3 more by special examination of “Dufferin” cadets only. During the same period, 314 Indians were recruited to different non-commissioned categories in the Royal Indian Navy.