CAPTAIN JERVISsaid, he rose to ask the Secretary of State for India, Whether, in case of an Officer retiring upon half-pay from one of the new Line Regiments, the step will be given to the Regiment to which he belonged; what course it is intended 1046 to pursue towards Officers of the late European Cavalry for whom there were no vacancies in the new Hussar Regiments, and who, from the reduction of their Regiments, are now thrown wholly out of employ; and why the proposed extra annuities to certain Regimental Colonels of the Indian Ordnance Corps are limited to £200 a year, instead of being on the same scale as those granted to Colonels of the Line and Cavalry—namely, as high as £550; and whether it is true that a Circular has been issued to these Colonels of the Ordnance Corps calling on them to elect at once whether they accept such extra annuities?
§ SIR CHARLES WOODOfficers of non-purchase Regiments who have entered from the Indian Service will not retire upon British half-pay; but may retire under the regulations of the Indian service, and on their retiring a step will be given to the Regiment to which they belonged. Officers of the late European Cavalry for whom there were no vacancies in the new Hussar Regiments, retain their position in the Indian Army, and are available for general duty. The extra annuities granted to Colonels of the Line and Cavalry of the late Native Indian Army, were offered in consideration of their having been deprived of the advantage which they enjoyed, under the old system, of continuing to serve in India in command of Regiments until entitled to Colonels' allowances, and also with a view of reducing the number of Officers in those branches, which was beyond the present requirements of the service. With the Artillery, however, it is entirely different. The Artillery Officers gained by the amalgamation. The number of Field Officers was increased, and also the number of higher ranks. Great promotion was given, and the additional cost of the changes in the Artillery altogether was £75,000 per annum. There is no wish to reduce the number of officers, and consequently all vacancies occasioned by retirements will be filled up by promotion from the junior ranks. The extra annuities offered to Colonels of the Indian Ordnance Corps were proposed to be granted, because, although those corps at large received great advantages by the re-organization, it was believed that there was a limited class of Officers whose prospects might have been injuriously affected by the retardation of their attainment to the Colonel's allowance. A Circular has 1047 been issued to those Officers who are in this country, informing them of the proposed offer, and stating that if they accept it, they must so time their applications as to, reach the Adjutant General's Office of the Presidency to which they belong on or before the 31st of August next.