§ MR. HOWARD VINCENT (Sheffield, Central)asked the Financial Secretary for War, If the Indian system of a monthly audit of regimental accounts has yet been adopted; and, in such case, if it is a fact that some accounts for last April have only been settled a few days, whereas the same month's accounts for the stronger regiments in India were passed within two months; and, if it is possible to infuse at home similar expedition, to the advantage of economy and closer financial check?
§ THE FINANCIAL SEORETARY (Mr. BRODRICK) (Surrey, Guildford)The apparent delay in the audit of the monthly accounts arose from the fact that the examination of the last half yearly account, that to March 31, had to be completed before the monthly account for April could be commenced. By the great exertions of the examiners, the accounts to September will be finished this week; and by the end of January we hope to reach the state of audit to promote which monthly accounts were instituted—namely, that an account shall be audited within a month of its receipt.