§ MR. GREGORYsaid, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for India, Whether any alterations in the Indian Furlough System are contemplated; and, if so, when the Plan of the Government will be communicated to the House?
§ SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTE, in reply, said, it had been felt for some time that the Furlough Regulations for the Indian Service had become obsolete and required revision. In the early part of last autumn he had communicated with Sir John Lawrence on the subject, and also referred it to a Committee of the Council of India. But before that Committee had made much progress news came from Sir John Lawrence that he had appointed 1577 a similar Committee in India, which, in due time, sent home a very elaborate set of Rules. These were carefully considered by the Committee of the Indian Council; their principle was entirely approved, but alterations in points of detail were recommended. A Despatch setting forth these recommendations had been forwarded to the Governor General, who was authorized to publish the Rules, with such amendment as the Government might think necessary after taking the recommendations into consideration. Probably the new Rules as finally framed would shortly be received in this Country.