asked the Under-Secretary of State for India (1) 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.
pursuant to his reply (OFFICIAL REPORT, 19th November, 1945; Vol. 416, c. 2 and 3), supplied the following statement:The strength of the Directorate of Combined operations at G.H.Q., India, on VT-Day was as follows:
| Officers | 40 |
| Other ranks | 27 |
| The strength on i8th November was: | |
| Officers | 15 |
| Other ranks | 12 |
| The officer strength of G.H.Q., India, on 18th November was: | |
| Lieutenant-Generals | 8 |
| Major-Generals | 30 |
| Brigadiers | 83 |
| Colonels | 102 |
| Others | 2,375 |
The authorities in India report that the first reductions to take place in the establishment of G.H.Q., India, after VJ-Day were in the sanctioned posts which had not been filled owing to the overall shortage of officers. Reductions of officers in filled posts since VJ-Day number 116, of which three were Brigadiers, it is anticipated that the following decrease will be made in the authorised establishment between VJ-Day and the end of the year:
| Major-Generals | 2 |
| Brigadiers | 15 |
| Colonels | 20 |
| others | 729 |
| Total | 766 |