§ SIR DE LACY EVANSasked, Whether the Secretary for India would have any objection to communicate to the House the names of the Commissioners appointed to consider the question of the amalgamation of the local force in India with the Queen's 1181 troops, and also the letter of instruction furnished to the Com mission on that subject?
§ SIR CHARLES WOODsaid, it would perhaps he satisfactory that he should state at once the names of the officers composing the Commission which had been appointed to consider the various details connected with the amalgamation. In conversation with a distinguished Indian officer it had been suggested to him that it was far better that a mixed commission of officers should meet for the purpose of considering these details. He was fortunate enough to obtain the services of his noble Friend (Lord Hotham) to preside over the Commission, and the officers who composed it were Sir Charles Yorke, General Clarke, of the Madras am, Brigadier-General Russell, who served in India (not my hon. Friend who is a Member of the House) Colonel Wetherall, Colonel Melville, Adjutant-General of the Bombay Army, and Colonel Norman, Deputy Adjutant-General of the Bengal Army. These officers were working satisfactorily together, and great benefit would, no doubt, arise from their united consideration. With regard to the minute of instructions be thought there would be no advantage in laying it on the table. It was intended that the committee should inquire into the various questions which would arise, paying due regard to the just claims of Indian officers, and providing at the same time that the arrangement should be carried out as economically as possible.