THE EARL OF LONGFORDrose to ask, Whether it is the intention that the Royal Commissioners recently appointed to inquire into certain matters connected with the Indian Army should be empowered to indicate the nature of the alterations which in their opinion would be desirable and practicable in the existing system? He said, he found that some Royal Commissions had been permitted, without distinct instructions, to suggest remedies for evils which they might have noticed in the course of their inquiries. For instance, the Royal Commission on Local Charges on Shipping which sat in 1863, without receiving any instruction to that effect, indicated the alterations which they thought desirable. It would be very much for the public advantage if the Royal Commission 1160 in this case would have permission to follow the same course.
LORD DUFFERINsaid, that it was not intended that the Commission should indicate the nature of the alterations which they might think it desirable and practical to introduce into the existing system. Their duty would be confined to ascertaining whether the regulations as now framed carried out the intentions of the previous Commission.