§ MR. O'DONNELLasked the Under Secretary of State for India, Whether the Indian Princes entitled by Treaty to maintain troops have exceeded the force allowed to them, or whether it is the intention of the Government to prevent them from maintaining the number of troops allowed under the conditions of the various Treaties entered into from time to time between Indian Native States and the British Empire; and, whether the intention of the Government to forbid the armament of troops in the service of the Indian Native States with improved weapons is based upon any condition in the original Treaties forbidding the Native States to improve the equipment of their soldiers from time to time?
§ MR. E. STANHOPESir, it is not in contemplation to interfere with the number of troops in Indian Native States as denned by Treaty guarantee. The issue of arms to troops in Native States is not in any way regulated by Treaty—it depends upon the discretion of the Paramount Power in India.