§ SIR JAMES ELPHINSTONEsaid, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for India, Certain reductions having been made in the strength of the force of the Indian Navy since last Session of Parliament, what are the intentions of Government as to the future prospects and position of the Officers of that Service?
§ SIR CHARLES WOODsaid, it was impossible to state, in answer to the question of the hon. Gentleman, what were the intentions of the Government in regard to the Indian Navy. Instructions had been sent to the Government of India with reference to the Indian Navy, but they had not been complied with, the Indian Government having taken a different view of the matter. The Home Government would have to answer the letter received from the Indian Government; and if the hon. Gentleman would postpone the Motion he had placed on the paper for the correspondence until that letter was sent, there would be no objection, ultimately, to lay the whole correspondence on the table. That would be the only complete answer that could be given to the question of the hon. Gentleman.