§ MR. KINNAIRDbegged to ask the noble Lord the Secretary of State for India what permanent increase to the regular Bengal establishment of chaplains to the Protestant troops had been made during the last twelve months, and whether it was the intention of the Government to make any further permanent increase, in consequence of the probability of a much larger number of British troops than formerly being kept in India?
LORD STANLEYsaid, that up to September, 1857, the permanent strength of the establishment of chaplains of the Church of England was—in Bengal 68, Madras 35, and Bombay 26; making 129 in all. Since that time they had been increased from 68 to 80 in Bengal, from 35 to 40 in Madras, and from 26 to 30 in Bombay; making 150 in all, or an increase of 21. The whole of that increase, except 6 of the chaplains added to the Bengal establishment, had taken place within the last twelve months. In addition, 10 supernumerary chaplains had now been sent out to meet the urgent wants of the troops, who were not placed at once on the permanent establishment, but would be absorbed into it as vacancies occurred. There bad also been an increase of Presbyterian chaplains of 143 two to each Presidency, raising the number to 13.