asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if he will make a statement on release from the Indian Army, giving the approximate dates at which age and service groups may expect release.

Release of officers in the Indian Army has in the past followed the release scheme of the British Service but it has now proved possible to introduce new and accelerated schedules. This is due to the acceptance, of a large number of applications for deferred release by Indian E.C.O.'s and to the success of the Indian Army Short Service Commission scheme. The dates of accelerated release are as follow:

• Group 47—ist-28th February.
• Groups 48–51–1st-3ist March.
• Groups 52–70–1st April onwards.

The accelerated scheme does not apply to the Specialist and Technical Services of the Indian Army.