§ Order for Second Reading read.
MR. GATHORNE HARDY, in moving "That the Bill be now read the second time," said, the corps to which it referred were excluded from the Army Regulation Bill, and, therefore, there was no power to compensate the officers for the bonuses they had paid on their commissions. The late Government had intended to allow the system of such bonuses to die out gradually, but were advised that such a course was illegal. A correspondence ensued between the India Office and the War Office on the subject, and a dispute arose as to the source of payment. In the meantime, the officers were suffering great hardship. It was therefore agreed between himself and his noble Friend at the India Office to refer that question to an eminent retired Judge, and the Bill was the result of his decision. He made it a condition of the arrangement that the funds now in possession of the different corps should be handed over to the general fund. That condition had been included in the Bill, and its fairness would, he thought, be at once apparent and admitted. The right hon. Gentleman concluded by moving the second reading of the Bill.
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read a second time."—(Mr. Secretary Hardy.)
§ GENERAL SIR GEORGE BALFOURsupported the Motion, and asked that the House should be made acquainted as early as possible with the relative proportions of cost to be borne by the Indian and Home Governments.
§ Question put, and agreed to.
§ Bill read a second time, and committed for To-morrow.