§ SIR GEORGE BOWYERsaid, he would now beg to ask the Secretary of State for India, If any decision has been arrived at with regard to the future of the Indian Navy; and if so, when it will be made known? Has the Report of the Civil Finance Commission (recommending a wholesale reduction of the Indian Navy on economical grounds) been received by Government; and if it is their intention to adopt the Report? If a reduction or abolition of the Service is contemplated, what course is it the intention of Government to pursue with regard to the Officers?
§ SIR CHARLES WOODsaid, in answer to the question of the hon. Baronet, that he had only to state that no decision had been arrived at with regard to the future of the Indian Navy, and, therefore, he could not say when it would be made known. It was true that the Report of the Civil Finance Commission in India, or rather a despatch from the Governor General of India, recommending a large reduction of the Indian Navy on economical grounds had been received by the Government, and would be brought under the consideration of the Secretary of State for India in Council. He could not then state what the intention of the Government might be with regard to it.
§ SIR GEORGE BOWYERsaid, that the right hon. Gentleman had omitted to state what course the Government intended to 375 pursue with regard to the Officers of the service.
§ SIR CHARLES WOODsaid, his hon. and learned Friend would understand, when he stated that the subject would be brought under his consideration as Secretary of State for India in Council, that it was impossible for him then to say what his determination ultimately might be.