§ MR. TORRENSsaid, he wished to ask the Secretary of State for India, whether, with reference to the report, dated the 7th of March last, of the Commissioners appointed to inquire into the organization of the Indian Army, any steps have been taken to effect the formation of a permanent local army in Bengal, and for the gradual disbandment or reduction of the levies temporarily taken into British pay during the mutiny of the Native troops in that Presidency?
§ SIR CHARLES WOODsaid, that he could not say that any practical steps had been taken for the organization of a local Bengal army, the question involving a great number of considerations and matters of detail. With regard to the other question asked, he was not in a position to state that any of the levies in question had been discontinued or disbanded. Any measure on that subject must be taken with all duo regard both to the interests and the feelings of the men who stood by us so gallantly during the mutiny.