§ COLONEL SYKESasked the Under Secretary of State for India, Whether there is not an egregious error in the Return to an Address of the House of Commons, dated 14th March 1871, No. 129, which states that the cost per man for drilling and preparing recruits for filling up vacancies in the East India Company's European Troops in India for ten years from 1850 to 1859, both inclusive, was £19 14s. 10½d. for 24,783 recruits, while the cost per man at the expense of India for a similar object for the European Troops of the Crown for 1383 seven years from 1861–2 to 1867–8, both inclusive, was £205 per man for 15,376 recruits, amounting in 1862–3 to £376 per recruit; and, whether it is true that India is to be charged for the future £136 13s. 11d. for each Cavalry, and £63 8s. 5d. for each Infantry recruit, independently of the cost of transit to India?
MR. GRANT DUFFIn reply, Sir, to my hon. and gallant Friend, I have to say that there is no error in the Return referred to; and, further, that the charge to be made by the Imperial Government against the Indian Government is, under present arrangements, precisely as he states it.
§ COLONEL SYKESsaid, he should take an opportunity for asking for details in reference to the matter.