§ MR. H. BAILLIEsaid, he wished to ask the Secretary for India whether it is the intention of the Government to give the House an opportunity of expressing its opinion upon the reorganization of the Indian Army, or whether it is the intention of the Government to settle the question without reference to Parliament?
§ SIR CHARLES WOODsaid, that it was possible that it might be necessary to bring in a Bill on the subject, and in that case, of course, the opinion of Parliament must be taken with respect to it. If a Bill were not brought in he should certainly make a statement of the course which the Government intended to pursue, and it would then be open to any one objecting to that course to take the opinion of the House on it.
§ MR. BRIGHTsaid, he wished to know whether the right hon. Gentleman was able to fix a day when the subject of Indian Finance would be brought before the House.
§ SIR CHARLES WOODsaid, he was sorry that he was not at present able to fix a day, as the Indian accounts, without which any statement must be unsatisfactory, were not yet on the table of the House.
§ MR. BRIGHTsaid, that surely the right hon. Baronet could state all the facts contained in the accounts in the speech which he made to the House. Would the right hon. Baronet state when the papers would be laid on the table? Considering the time of the Session, he thought he was entitled to put that question.
§ SIR CHARLES WOODsaid, he had not the least objection to give a reply, but the preparation of the accounts did not de- 30 pend upon him. He expected they would have been presented some time ago, but he now believed they would be on the table to-morrow or the following day. He had not the slightest indisposition to make the statement to which his hon. Friend alluded. It would not be a very satisfactory one when it was made, but he agreed that it would be more satisfactory to the House to have it made as soon as possible.
§ MR. BRIGHTsaid, he would repeat his question on Thursday next.