§ MR. LYALLsaid, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies, What arrangement has been made between the Ceylon and the English Government for reducing the charge on the Imperial Exchequer for the Military Expenditure in that Colony; and whether, in consequence of the great prosperity of the Island, there is an early prospect of releasing this Country altogether from that charge, and placing Ceylon, in that respect, on the same footing as India?
§ MR. CARDWELLSir, the military expenditure of Ceylon is £200,000. It is paid in equal proportions by the Imperia and the Colonial Governments. In the 1262 present year, 1864, an additional sum of 230,000 has been set apart out of the colonial resources to be applied to this purpose. An inquiry is about to take place n the Island with a view to reduce the amount of expenditure, and I hope and believe that in a short time the hon. Gentleman will be gratified by the whole expenditure being defrayed out of the sources of the colony in the way he wishes.