§ MAJOR DICKSONsaid, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, Why are the Captains of a Cavalry Regiment on its arrival in this Country after service in India who may be supernumeraries placed on half-pay, while the Captains of Infantry Regiments in exactly the same position are retained on full pay?
§ SIR JOHN PAKINGTONsaid, the Question was not so plain as it might at first sight appear, and the anomaly was more apparent than real. This arose from the fact that cavalry and infantry regiments did not stand upon the same footing. Cavalry regiments going abroad were upon the same establishment as those at home. There were now three cavalry regiments to return from India, and in each case there was only one extra captain; so that there would be three supernumerary captains to be placed on half-pay. Infantry regiments, on the contrary, under an arrangement made some years ago, were reduced on coming home to the extent of two companies; but those going out received a proportionate increase. In consequence of this arrangement—the policy of which he would not now discuss—two supernumerary captains remained upon full pay, and without additional expense to the public were gradually absorbed into other regiments as the requirements of the service demanded.