asked the Under-Secretary of State for India (I) what was the total strength of the Directorate of Combined Operations at G.H.Q., India, on VJ-Day and what is its strength now;

(2) what is the total number of officers employed at G.H.Q., India; and how many of these are lieutenant-generals, major-generals, brigadiers and full colonels, respectively;

(3) what total reduction in the number of officers employed at G.H.Q., India, has been made since VJ-Day; and, in particular, by how many the number of brigadiers employed has been reduced.

I have asked the authorities in India to supply the informa- tion desired and I will communicate with ray hon. and gallant Friend as soon as it arrives.

In view of the fact that the establishment at G.H.Q., India, is now somewhat over 2,000 officers, will the Minister treat as a matter of urgency the getting of the figures for which I have asked, so that action may be taken speedily to reduce the strength at this G.H.Q.?

I am not in a position to discuss facts at the moment but I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that a telegram was sent the day after he put his Question down, and I am still waiting for a reply.